The Unexpected Ingredient You Need For A Tasty And Unique Homemade Jam
By Elaina Friedman
There are several rules in jam-making, but sticking to sweet berries is not one. You can make jam from anything, and adding zucchini offers a delicious and unexpected twist.
Zucchini has plenty of pectin, a water-soluble fiber that gives thickness to jam and other foods. Omitting pectin will take the jam longer to reach the desired consistency.
While all fruit has pectin, zucchini has a particularly high amount, and thanks to the vegetable's mild flavor, it plays well as a secret ingredient in any sweet or savory jam.
First, peel, seed, and grate the zucchini — the finer you grate it, the smoother the texture will be. For thick jam, squeeze out as much water as possible with a dishcloth.
While many recipes call for Jell-O Mix, you can simply add a few cups of grated zucchini to your fruit and sugar mixture and cook it as you would any other jam.
For zucchini-flavored jam, combine zucchini, ginger, and lemon for a savory concoction. Add a touch of spice by mincing fresh hot peppers and adding them to the pot.