Rustic Peach Jam with Brown Sugar & Rum Infusion
Dive into the rich sweetness of summer with this Rustic Peach Jam, featuring luscious, coarsely chopped peaches gently simmered with dark Jamaican rum and the deep, caramel notes of light brown sugar. This jam boasts a dark, chunky texture that makes it an exquisite topping for vanilla ice cream, pancakes, or even a savory spread on toast. Perfect for preserving the essence of ripe peaches, this delightful concoction not only elevates your desserts but also makes for a heartfelt homemade gift. Enjoy the flavorful complexity that unfolds with every spoonful!
6
Servings
300
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Peaches
6 (peeled and coarsely chopped (about 4 lbs))
Light Brown Sugar
2 (packed)
Fresh Lemon Juice
6 tablespoons (strained)
Dark Jamaican Rum
3/4 cup
Granulated Sugar
2 (cups)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped peaches with the light brown sugar, strained lemon juice, and half of the dark Jamaican rum. Stir gently to mix and ensure the peaches are well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit at room temperature for 6 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
2
Once the fruit has rested, wash your jars and lids in hot, soapy water. Sterilize the jars by submerging them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Keep the jars in hot water until you're ready to fill them. Prepare the lids according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3
Transfer the peach mixture into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peach chunks become soft and translucent. If at any point the jam gets too thick, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to prevent scorching.
4
After the peaches are soft, stir in the granulated sugar, increase the heat to medium-high, and continue to cook rapidly while stirring almost constantly. To test the consistency of the jam, place a spoonful on a chilled saucer and refrigerate for a few minutes. The jam is ready when it wrinkles instead of running when the saucer is tilted (or at a temperature of about 220°F if using a candy thermometer).
5
Remove the pan from heat and add the remaining dark rum, stirring for an additional 2 minutes as the mixture bubbles up.
6
Ladle the hot jam into the hot, prepared jars, ensuring there is 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Secure the lids on each jar and process them in a boiling-water bath for 15 minutes to seal.
7
Once processed, remove the jars and allow to cool completely on a dish towel. After cooling, label and store them in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition Information
0
Fat
75
Carbs
0.3
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Peach Jam with Brown Sugar and Rum?
It is a rich, chunky fruit preserve made with fresh peaches, dark Jamaican rum, and light brown sugar, offering deep caramel notes and a sophisticated flavor profile.
What kind of peaches should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for approximately 4 pounds of ripe peaches that have been peeled and coarsely chopped to maintain a rustic texture.
Why is light brown sugar used instead of just white sugar?
Light brown sugar contributes a deep caramel flavor and a darker color to the jam that complements the peaches and rum better than granulated sugar alone.
Can I use a different type of rum?
While dark Jamaican rum is recommended for its specific flavor, you can substitute it with another dark rum or omit it if you prefer an alcohol-free jam.
Do I have to peel the peaches?
Yes, for the best texture in this rustic jam, the peaches should be peeled before being coarsely chopped.
How long should I let the peach mixture sit before cooking?
The peaches should be macerated with the brown sugar, lemon juice, and half the rum for 6 hours or overnight at room temperature.
What is the purpose of the lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice provides the necessary acidity to help the jam set properly and balances the sweetness of the sugars.
How do I sterilize the jars?
Submerge the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes and keep them in the hot water until you are ready to fill them.
How long does the peach mixture need to simmer?
Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the peach chunks become soft and translucent.
What should I do if the jam gets too thick while simmering?
If the mixture becomes too thick, you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to prevent it from scorching.
At what temperature does the jam reach its setting point?
The jam is generally ready when it reaches a temperature of about 220 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.
What is the wrinkle test for jam?
Place a spoonful of jam on a chilled saucer and refrigerate for a few minutes; it is ready if it wrinkles instead of running when the saucer is tilted.
When should I add the remaining rum?
Remove the pan from the heat first, then stir in the remaining dark rum and continue stirring for 2 minutes as it bubbles.
How much headspace should I leave in the jars?
You should leave 1/4 inch of headspace at the top of each jar before securing the lids.
How long do I process the jars in the water bath?
The filled jars should be processed in a boiling-water bath for 15 minutes to ensure a proper seal.
How should I store the finished jam?
Once cooled and labeled, store the jars in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality.
What are some serving suggestions for this jam?
This jam is an exquisite topping for vanilla ice cream, pancakes, or served as a savory spread on toast.
Is this jam suitable for gifting?
Yes, its flavorful complexity and rustic appearance make it a perfect choice for a heartfelt homemade gift.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
Does this jam contain any fat?
No, this recipe contains 0 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are approximately 75 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this jam have?
This peach jam contains a negligible amount of protein, approximately 0.3 grams per serving.
Can I use frozen peaches for this jam?
While fresh peaches are preferred for flavor and texture, you can use frozen peaches if you thaw and drain them first.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Fruit.
How many ingredients are required?
There are 5 main ingredients: peaches, light brown sugar, fresh lemon juice, dark Jamaican rum, and granulated sugar.
Why do I need both brown and granulated sugar?
Brown sugar provides the base flavor and caramel notes, while granulated sugar helps achieve the proper set and sweetness level during the final rapid boil.
Can I double this recipe?
It is generally better to make jam in smaller batches to ensure it sets correctly, but you can double it if you use a sufficiently large pan.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe is designed for approximately 6 servings.
Is there a specific way to stir the jam?
Stir gently during the initial simmer and almost constantly during the final rapid boil to prevent the sugar from burning.
What is the texture of the finished jam?
The finished jam has a dark, chunky, and rustic texture due to the coarse-chopped peaches and brown sugar infusion.