MELON JAM WITH FRESH GINGER AND LIME
A small batch of fragrant melon jam with fresh ginger and lime zest — a refreshing and unique preserve, perfect for those who appreciate delicate fruit flavors.
🕒 Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including resting and cooking)
🍽️ Servings: About 1 jar (600 g)
Ingredients
- 1 ripe melon (about 1.5 kg)
- 50 g fresh ginger
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 300 g sugar
Instructions
- Cut melon in half, remove seeds, and scoop out the flesh into a pot using a spoon.
- Thinly slice the ginger (using a vegetable peeler) and add to the pot.
- Add lime zest and lime juice, sprinkle sugar over the mixture, gently stir, and let rest for 2 hours to extract juice.
- Place the pot over low heat and warm until sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes).
- Increase heat to high and boil for 15 minutes, skimming off the white foam that forms on top.
- Reduce heat back to low and simmer gently for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the jam thickens.
To test if jam is ready, place a teaspoon on a plate and let it cool; if it gels and doesn’t run, it’s done.
- Sterilize a 600 g jar in a preheated oven at 200°C for 30 minutes.
- Pour the hot jam into the sterilized jar, seal tightly, and invert the jar for 5 minutes to create a vacuum seal.
- Wrap the jar in a blanket and let it cool overnight.
- Store in a cool place for the winter.
💡 Tips
- Use ripe melon for best flavor and sweetness.
- Thin ginger slices will infuse jam with subtle spice without overwhelming it.
- Do not stir too vigorously during cooking to preserve texture.
- Test gel readiness with the cold plate method.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Spread on fresh bread or toast
- Use as a topping for yogurt or desserts
- Add a spoonful to soft cheeses for a sweet contrast
📝 Final Notes
This melon jam combines tropical sweetness with fresh zing from ginger and lime, making it a delightful and elegant preserve for any pantry.