Spiced Pumpkin Preserves ππ―
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3 pints
Yield: 3 pints
Description:
Feel free to halve the vinegar in this recipe if you want a sweeter version. The longer these set, the better they are! Perfect for a cozy autumn treat or as a delightful gift for friends and family. These spiced pumpkin preserves bring together the warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice with the natural sweetness of pumpkin, creating a delightful spread that’s as versatile as it is delicious.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups pumpkin, cut into chunks
- 2 whole cloves (or ground cloves)
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 tsp allspice
Instructions:
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Prepare the Pumpkin: Prick the pumpkin chunks with a fork to allow the flavors to penetrate.
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Make the Syrup: In a saucepan, combine the water, cider vinegar, brown sugar, white sugar, ground cloves, cinnamon sticks, and allspice. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it boil for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sugar to dissolve completely.
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Simmer the Pumpkin: Carefully add the pumpkin chunks to the syrup, ensuring they are fully submerged. If necessary, add the pumpkin in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Simmer the pumpkin in the syrup until it is slightly tender, stirring occasionally to coat the pumpkin evenly with the syrup. This should take about 10-12 minutes.
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Jar the Preserves: Using tongs or a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the hot pumpkin pieces into clean, hot pint-sized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top of each jar.
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Fill with Syrup: Pour the hot syrup over the pumpkin in the jars, ensuring that each jar is filled with syrup and that there is still a 1/4 inch of headspace remaining.
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Adjust Syrup if Necessary: If you find that you need more syrup to fill the jars adequately, prepare an additional batch and pour it into the jars.
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Seal the Jars: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any syrup or residue. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands until they are fingertip tight.
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Process in a Water Bath: Place the filled jars in a large pot or canner filled with hot water, ensuring that the jars are submerged by at least 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a gentle boil, then cover the pot and process the jars in the water bath for 15 minutes.
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Cool and Store: After processing, carefully remove the jars from the water bath using jar lifters and place them on a clean towel or cooling rack to cool completely. As the jars cool, you may hear the satisfying “pop” of the lids sealing. Once cooled, check that each jar is properly sealed by pressing down on the center of the lid. If the lid doesn’t move or make a popping sound, it is sealed correctly. Store the jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
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Enjoy: These spiced pumpkin preserves are best enjoyed after they have had some time to age and allow the flavors to meld together. Serve them on toast, biscuits, or as a topping for yogurt or ice cream. They also make a delightful addition to charcuterie boards or as a glaze for roasted meats. Get creative and savor the flavors of fall with every bite!
Pro Tips:
- If using whole cloves, you can spike the pumpkin pieces with them for an extra burst of flavor.
- Try to distribute the stick cinnamon evenly among the jars for consistent flavor throughout.
- These preserves will continue to improve with age, so be patient and allow them to develop their full flavor potential before indulging.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 615.8
- Fat Content: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.2g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 39.3mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 154.7g
- Fiber Content: 1.6g
- Sugar Content: 140.7g
- Protein Content: 2.4g
Dietary Tags:
- Low Protein
- Low Cholesterol
- Healthy
- Canning
- Stove Top
- Inexpensive
Keywords:
#LowProtein #LowCholesterol #Healthy #LessThan30Mins #Canning #StoveTop #Inexpensive
