The winter months is Kumquat season, and a dear friend (that’s you Deb!!) has them in truckloads! So we were very fortunate a couple of weeks ago to be given a great BIG bowl full! I was in heaven … as was Bryan who kept popping these little gems into his mouth before I had chance to do anything with them.
So I had to work quickly to make something with them before they all disappeared … and although they are a fruit, in my view kumquats can be a little on the bitter side … and I like that … as I think they are perfect with savoury as well as sweet items.
I therefore decided to make a savoury jam with chill and ginger … perfect for sandwiches, cheese platters, with all types of hot or cold meats, vegetarian dishes, terrines and pates.
As I am aware that not everyone can get their hands on kumquats, I decided to see if this “jam” could be made with navel oranges instead, and it most definitely can. Simply slice the pip end off the oranges (you will need two very large ones for the 500g), cut in half with skin still on, then cut each half into smaller pieces similar in size to kumquats and proceed with the recipe. I did this today and we had the savoury jam with the spinach pie I made … it was delicious!
This is what I call a “low sugar jam” so once sealed it can be kept in the pantry for up to 12 months unopened, but once opened then it is best kept in the fridge.
Both Bryan and I like some “chili” heat so I used two fairly large red chilies (seeds and all), but if you prefer a milder heat then use less chili, or perhaps consider using chili flakes where you have more control on the heat. That being said, if you like more heat then add more chili too!
Fruit can vary enormously in the amount of fluid they hold, so the cooking time will depend largely on how juicy your fruit is in the first place … so stick with the initial time of 10 minutes / then 25 minutes / then check the jam … if it is still looking quite fluid cook for a further 5 minutes. On the five occasions I have made this jam now (including today with the oranges), I have cooked it for the further 5 minutes, but I don’t want to make this “compulsory” in case you have “dryish” fruit. Be aware that on cooling the jam will thicken too, and you want to be able to spoon it onto your plate to have as a “sauce” as opposed to spreading it on your plate like a set jam.
This is a savoury jam with chill and ginger ... perfect for sandwiches, cheese platters, with all types of hot or cold meats, vegetarian dishes, terrines and pates.
As I am aware that not everyone can get their hands on kumquats, I decided to see if this "jam" could be made with navel oranges instead, and it most definitely can. Simply slice the pip end off the oranges (you will need two very large ones for the 500g), cut in half with skin still on, then cut each half into smaller pieces similar in size to kumquats and proceed with the recipe. I did this today and we had the savoury jam with the spinach pie I made ... it was delicious!
This is what I call a "low sugar jam" so once sealed it can be kept in the pantry for up to 12 months unopened, but once opened then it is best kept in the fridge.
Both Bryan and I like some "chili" heat so I used two fairly large red chilies (seeds and all), but if you prefer a milder heat then use less chili, or perhaps consider using chili flakes where you have more control on the heat. That being said, if you like more heat then add more chili too!
Fruit can vary enormously in the amount of fluid they hold, so the cooking time will depend largely on how juicy your fruit is in the first place ... so stick with the initial time of 10 minutes / then 25 minutes / then check the jam ... if it is still looking quite fluid cook for a further 5 minutes. On the five occasions I have made this jam now (including today with the oranges), I have cooked it for the further 5 minutes, but I don't want to make this "compulsory" in case you have "dryish" fruit. Be aware that on cooling the jam will thicken too, and you want to be able to spoon it onto your plate to have as a "sauce" as opposed to spreading it on your plate like a set jam.
- 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled
- 50g ginger, peeled weight
- 2 medium to large fresh red chilies, seeds intact, stem discarded
- 500g kumquats, washed, stems removed, left whole
- or
- 500g naval oranges, skin on, pip end removed, cut in half, then cut into small pieces similar in size to kumquats
- 1 large lime, cut into quarters
- 1 green apple, skin left on, cut into quarters and deseeded
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1 tsp peppercorns
- 100g filtered water
- 100g apple cider vinegar
- 250g coconut sugar, or dark muscovado sugar
- Place garlic, ginger and chilies into TM bowl and chop 3 seconds / speed 7
- Scrape around bowl
- Add kumquats (or orange pieces), lime, apple, cumin, coriander, salt, peppercorns, filtered water and vinegar and cook 10 minutes / 100 / speed 2 / MC off / basket on top
- Add sugar and cook 25 minutes / 100 / speed 2 / MC off / basket on top
- Check for thickness, if you want it a touch thicker then continue another 5 minutes / 100 / speed 2 / MC off / basket on top (this will largely depend on the juiciness of your kumquats or oranges)
- Before bottling remove the 4 limes skins which will still be intact
- Pour jam into sterilised jars, ensure lid is on tightly, and then turn jars upside down until cool … this will create a good seal
- As we will consume this jam well within 12 months (so no long term storage) I do a simple process of:
- Wash jars and lids in warm soapy water
- Rinse jars and lids in warm water
- Place jars in preheated oven (120 degrees fan forced) for at least 20 minutes while jam is cooking
- At the same time place lids in a heat proof jug, pour over boiling water and leave until ready to seal jars
- Fill and seal jars whilst jam is still hot
Hi Gina this is a great recipe however I do not have a thermomix can I still do it the conventional way
Rosa
Yes, you absolutely can Rosa … the Thermomix just helps with the process, but any recipe can be done the conventional way and the Thermomix way. To do conventional, what i would do is:
1. Finely chop garlic, ginger and chillies and place into a medium sized saucepan
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except the sugar, and bring to a boil
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes ensuring that you are still seeing “bubbles” come to the surface so that it is a “light boil”
4. Add the sugar and continue cooking for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the mixture has thickened and is looking “jam like” (cooking time will depend largely on the size of your saucepan i.e. the bigger it is = the more evaporation there will be, the smaller it is = the less evaporation there will be)
5. Carefully taste the jam (be careful, it is hot), and adjust seasoning if you feel it needs it (salt, pepper, or a little extra sugar if the Kumquats were particularly sharp) and stir in
5. Have your jars ready, and when the jam is done to your liking, remove the lime skins (they will still in tact), and pour jam into the jars, seal, turn upside down to secure the seal and allow to cool
Hope that helps Rosa … so happy that you are checking out these recipes xo Gina
Cooking this now! Smells A-MAZING!! 🙂
Thanks for the recipe Gina
Oh Michelle … that is awesome … hope you enjoy it … goes lovely with cheese and meats! Really appreciate you letting me know xo Gina