Ginger Peach Freezer Jam for #SundaySupper

I have a thing for freezer jam. A lifetime love affair actually. If my taste buds had them, they'd drop to their knees with each bite. It's the fresh fruit flavor that gets me every time because freezer jam is never heated which means the fruit isn't cooked. You mash, dice, mix and pour. The only heated ingredients are the water and pectin.

And it's super easy to make. No special equipment needed other than your clean sterile jars.

Peaches are in season right now....juicy and bursting with flavor. Perfect for making jam. Add a bit of ginger and you've taken things to a whole new level. Fresh, sweet and zingy.

Did I mention easy? (just want to make sure that sinks in).

Wash and peel your peaches and you're ready to roll!

Here's a little ginger tip before you get started. Use the edge of a spoon to scrape the skin off your ginger.

Want another tip? Keep your ginger in the freezer. Not only does it prolong the life, but frozen ginger grates super easily!

Ginger Peach Freezer Jam

Inspired by: Sure-Jell Peach Jam

3 cups cubed fresh peaches (about 2 lbs fully ripe peaches)
2 TB fresh grated ginger
2 TB fresh squeezed lemon juice
4 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
6 tablespoons fruit pectin

In a food processor, pulse your peaches until the desired chunkiness. Don't puree it. You want some of those bits and pieces of fresh fruit. This is jam, not jelly.

In a large bowl, combine the peaches, ginger, lemon juice and sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
.
In a sauce pan, combine the water and pectin. Bring to a boil then stir while boiling, for 1 minutes.

Add the pectin to the peach mixture and stir for 3 minutes.

Pour into sterile jars within 1/2 inch from the rim. Put on the lids and let sit at room temperature for 24 hrs.

Store in the freezer for up to a year. Once opened, it keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Spread a little yumminess over your bagel and cream cheese for a breakfast treat.

Besides the obvious toast or bagel application, this will be great as an ice cream topping, or used as a glaze for some grilled pork tenderloin.

Today is all about peaches and our Sunday Supper team has got a bushel of recipes where peaches are the star....

Starters:

• Bourbon & Peach Porkbelly Bites by Girl Abroad
• Cherry-Peach Bruschetta by Dessert Geek
• Grilled Peach Caprese with Blackberry Balsamic by The Crumby Cupcake
• How to Make Peach Gazpacho with Cucumber by Asian in America
• Peach Blueberry Burrata Quesadilla by Grumpy’s Honeybunch

Breakfasts:

• Peach Pancakes with Peach Maple Syrup by Magnolia Days
• Peaches and Cream Crepes by A Mind Full Mom

Beverages:

• Brandy Peach Lemonade by Nosh My Way
• Citrus Peach Sangria by Sunday Supper Movement
• Dairy-Free Strawberry Peach Smoothie by Cooking Chat
• Frozen Peach Margarita by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
• Peach and Blueberry Wine Slushies by Cooking with Carlee
• Peach Ginger Bellini by kimchi MOM
• Peach Whiskey Smash by Gluten Free Crumbley
• Trà Đào (Vietnamese Peach Tea) by Curious Cuisiniere

Condiments:

• Ginger Peach Freezer Jam by Peaceful Cooking

Sides & Salads:

• Fresh Peach Cucumber Salad by Food Lust People Love
• Grilled Peach Summer Salad with Arugula and Haloumi Cheese byThe Hungry Goddess
• Italian Peach Panzanella Bread Salad by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Peach Caprese Salad with Balsamic Syrup by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Peach, Tomato and Mint Salad by Our Good Life

Main Dishes:

• Chicken, Peaches, and Arugula on a Focaccia Roll by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Easy Peach & Basil Flatbread by My Life Cookbook
• Grilled Peaches and Shrimp Shish Kabobs by The Freshman Cook
• Peach Glazed Pork Chops and Stuffing by Life Tastes Good
• Pork Tacos with Grilled Peach Salsa by Baking Sense
• Roasted Flank Steak with Fresh Peach Pico de Gallo by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Desserts:

• Any Fruit Custard Pie by Wholistic Woman
• Biscuit Topped Peach Cobbler by Palatable Pastime
• Blueberry Peach Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Blueberry Peach Coffee Cake by The Chef Next Door
• Easy Peach Cobbler Minis by April Golightly
• Frozen Peach Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
• Gluten Free Peach Apricot Crisp by Desserts Required
• Grilled Peach Melba by Hardly A Goddess
• Honey Almond Ricotta Stuffed Grilled Peaches by She Loves Biscotti
• No-Churn Peach Pie Ice Cream by The Redhead Baker
• Peach and Blackberry Crisp by And She Cooks
• Peaches and Cream Cobbler Popsicles by Crazed Mom
• Peaches and Cream Pie by Cooking on the Ranch
• Peach and Pistachio Tart by Caroline’s Cooking
• Peach Sherbet by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Peach Honey Pecan Galette by The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Peach Willy by Monica’s Table
• Roasted Peaches and Lime Sorbet by Brunch-n-Bites
• Rustic Peaches and Cream by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Simple Peach Cobbler by Where Latin Meets Lagniappe
• Spiked Skillet Peach, Pecan and Blueberry Crumble by From Gate to Plate
• Streusel-Topped Peach Tart by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Summer Fruit Pie by Pies and Plots

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement

Savory Fig and Sweet Onion Freezer Jam #SundaySupper

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. The gardens are filled with ripened produce and the farmers markets are loaded with whatever you can't / don't grow.

But soon enough, it all comes to an end. (boo-hoo)

No fear! Sunday Supper is hear! Today it's all about saving summer! We have how-to's on dehydrating, freezing, making sauces, jams, pickling, oh my gosh...there's so much you can do to save those summers flavors.

I recently made Grilled Fig Onion Glazed Pork Tenderloin and afterward I was bummed cuz I won't be able to make this year round. Figs aren't always in season. And that's when it dawned on me....I can make a savory jam with the very same ingredients I used to make the glaze....voila! My summer flavor has been saved for the whole year!

Savory Fig and Sweet Onion Freezer Jam
makes about 10 cups of jam
Printable Version

1 tsp light olive oil
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced sweet onions
2 tsps white balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
7 cups chopped figs, stems trimmed off (about 2 1/2 lbs)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 cups sugar
juice from 1 lemon
1 box of fruit pectin

Wash and sterilize enough jars and lids to hold a total of 10 cups of jam.

Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet or sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and saute, stirring often until tender and just starting to turn a nice golden color. Stir in the garlic and saute for another minute. Deglaze with the balsamic vinegar. Remove from heat.

Add in the chopped figs, sugar and black pepper. Stir to combine. If you prefer a less chunky end result, use a potato masher and smash everything up a bit.

Stir in the lemon juice and pectin. Place over low heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The way to test if your jam is ready, is to place a glass plate in the freezer. Place a dab of your jam in the middle of the very cold place and turn your plate on it's side. If the jam begins to quickly run, it's not thick enough. If it runs slowly or stays put, it's ready for the jars.

Carefully spoon the jam into your clean jars, leaving about 1/4" space at the top. With a clean, damp cloth, wipe up the spills and make sure the edge is clean and put your lids on.

Allow to cool to room temperature before freezing or using.

The aroma is mouth watering...the caramelized onion and balsamic vinegar seems to dominate the jar, but when you taste it\ you're surprised by the sweetness that accompanies the delectable flavor of fig while the onion is just a lingering after flavor that brings it all full circle.

Not only is this an amazingly delicious glaze, but if you really want to wow your taste buds (and who doesn't?) then you must try it with brie cheese in the center of a bundled up puff pastry!

So simple, easy and quick...

Preheat your oven to 400'
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed (cuz I use the frozen kind)
1 wheel of brie cheese
about 2/3 cup of Savory Fig and Sweet Onion Freezer Jam
1 egg mixed with 1 TB water

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Lay the puff pastry sheet on a floured surface. Place the brie in the center. Top with the jam

Pull all the sides up to the center and pinch a little so they stick together some, to resemble a cute little bundle fulled with surprises.

Brush the top and sides with the egg wash.

Carefully place it on the lined baking sheet and into your oven. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. You might even want a little extra jam handy to toss a glob or two on your plate to ensure that you have a little of everything in each bite. The is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, gooey cheesy buttery flakiness.

I'm not sure if 10 cups is going to last me through the winter....

For more delicious tips and how-tos and fantastic recipes on saving summer, visit the other Sunday Supper blogs.


Learn how to …

• Dry Fruit - No-Dehydrator-Needed from Take A Bite Out of Boca 
• Freeze Cherries from Pies and Plots
• Freeze Herbs from Rhubarb and Honey 
• Make Freezer Harvest Soup Kits from Cindy's Recipes and Writings 
• Make Pesto Cubes from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen 
• Make and Freeze Rosemary Butter from Momma's Meals 
• Make Ready to Blend Smoothie Packs for Your Freezer from The Educators’ Spin On It 
• Oven Dry Cherries from The Redhead Baker 

Sip sunny cocktails and smoothies

• Blueberry, Peaches and Cream Green Smoothies from Cupcakes & Kale Chips 
• Green Tea and Chocolate Saketini from Ninja Baking 
• Sangria from Confessions of a Culinary Diva 

Scoop up special salsas and sauces

• Classic Freezer Tomato Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands 
• Peach Salsa from The Texan New Yorker
• Pico de Gallo from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen 
• Spicy Apple - Carrot Chutney from What Smells So Good? 
• Spring Conserve from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 

Jump into jellies, jams and preserves

• Apricot Habanero Jam from Food Lust People Love 
• Corn Cob Jelly from Daily Dish Recipes 
• Hot Pepper Jelly from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 
• No Pectin Apricot Jam from Curious Cuisiniere 
• Peach Preserves from Delaware Girl Eats 
• Pineapple Mango Moscato Jam from Seduction in the Kitchen 
• Raw Raspberry-Vanilla Chia Jam from Shockingly Delicious 
• Savory Fig and Sweet Onion Freezer Jam from Peaceful Cooking 
• Spicy Ginger Tomato Jam with Coconut Sugar from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
• Spicy Red Pepper Jam from The Wimpy Vegetarian

Pucker up for pickles

• Bread and Butter Pickles from That Skinny Chick Can Bake 
• Pickled Beets and Onions from Kudos Kitchen by Renée 
• Pickled Green Tomatoes from Culinary Adventures with Camilla 
• Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños with Herbs from Magnolia Days 
• Refrigerator Pickled Radish and Turnips from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen 
• Refrigerator Pickles from Webicurean 
• Sweet Pickled Cauliflower from Because I Like Chocolate 

Slurp and spoon soup and a side dish

• Easy Garden Fresh Tomato Basil Soup from Neighborfood 
• Savory Summer Kimchi from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen 

Dive into divine desserts

• Easy (no machine) Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream from Mama Bee Does
• Freeze 'em For Later Peach Berry Hand Pies from eating in instead
• Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberries from Peanut Butter and Pepper
• Lemon and Blackberry Meringue Cakes from Happy Baking Days
• Lemon Curd Coffee Crumb Cake with Vanilla Drizzle from Wallflour Girl
• Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream from Killer Bunnies, Inc

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7 p.m. ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.


Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Blueberry Freezer Jam with Rosemary and Shiraz

For the past week I've had 'blueberry' on the brain.

Not because they're so good for you. Not because they contain antioxidants. Not because they're loaded with vitamin C, manganese, and fiber. And the fact that they're low in fat and calories and are just so dang tasty, has nothing to do with why blueberries have been on my mind either. I buy them every week so whats so special now?

Well, ever since I attended A Very Blueberry Thanksgiving last weekend, I can't stop thinking about these Little Blue Dynamos.

So I decided to hit the kitchen and make something that was meant to last. Longer than a side dish or a smoothie.

Freezer jam!!  I'm a huge fan of freezer jam. Not only is it easy but it's worry free (no concern about canning and lids sealing or the chance of botulism). And the fresh fruit flavor in freezer jams just can't be beat. That's right..fresh fruit as in....not cooked. There is a very different flavor going on between canned jams and freezer jams. I'm not saying canned jams aren't good. I'm just saying....they're different.

Speaking about 'different flavors going on'...are you wondering about the rosemary aspect here? Believe it or not, rosemary could quit possibly be blueberry's new best friend. (Sorry lemon, make room for a new member of the group). Lemon still has it job as "flavor brightener" but rosemary adds a new dimension and depth, and it's a mutual experience. Blueberry helps define the sweetness of rosemary and the rosemary balances the tang of the blueberry while adding this almost.....I dunno...cocktail, mixology level. Peppery, sweet, sappy, yet sill all blueberry. It's just delightful!

Btw...this jam is all grown up. Not only is it packing some earthy sweetness, but it's packing vino. Shiraz to be more specific.

Sorry kids, but this batch will not be found with the peanut butter in your lunch pails.

Blueberry Freezer Jam with Rosemary and Shiraz
Makes about 7 8oz jars of jam

Prepare 7 or 8 8oz jars and lids for canning by cleaning, then rinsing with boiling water and drying thoroughly.

3 cups frozen blueberries, thawed
5 1/4 cups white sugar
zest from 2 lemons
1 pack of pectin
3/4 cup Shiraz wine
Leaves from 1 4" fresh rosemary stem, minced

In a food processor or blender, pulse the blueberries 3 or 4 times, just enough to break them up without pureeing. If you do not have a blender or food processor, you can mash them with a potato masher. You might have more obvious pieces of blueberry skin as a result.

In a large bowl, combine the 'mashed' blueberries, sugar, and lemon zest. Allow to sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a small saucepan, combine the pectin, wine and minced rosemary. Heat over high heat, bringing to a boil while stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute, or until pectin has dissolved. You will notice the pectin mixture turn a foamy pink. Keep going...it'll quickly become a beautiful clear, deep red.

Add the pectin mixture to the blueberry mixture and stir for 3 minutes.

Fill your prepared jars to about 1/2 below the rim. Clean up anything that may have spilled on the rim or the sides. Cover with lids and allow to rest out on the counter for 24 hours.

Once set, store in the freezer for up to a year. After a jar has been opened, keep refrigerated and use within 3 weeks.

If you can put the spoon down and stop eating it as is for just a minute, try it over a block of cream cheese, smeared all over a slice of fresh baked bread. If you're inclined to share, you might want to present this at your next party. The holidays are just around the corner. Then send your guests home with their own jar.

For more information and recipes, visit the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and see what all the buzz is about Little Blue Dynamos.