In possession of just a few gooseberries? Make this tiny batch gooseberry jam!
I have a standing work date with my friend Audra. Once a week, we meet up at a coffeeshop to catch up, do a little work, and do our best to shake off the inevitable sense of isolation that comes when one works from home.
Audra and I met in early 2009 because we both happened to be Philadelphians who were blogging about food preservation (she was once the primary voice behind the site, Doris and Jilly Cook). While our friendship has long since expanded beyond the kitchen, we do often find ourselves on the topics of cooking, gardening, and sourcing produce for our canning pots.
A few weeks ago (and knowing that I would appropriately value them), Audra showed up with a pint container of gooseberries from the bush in her backyard. Gooseberries are notoriously hard to come by in Philadelphia (at the turn of the last century, they were thought to harbor a fungus that was a threat to pine forests, and so were banned in many states. Their commercial production has yet to recover) and so my excitement was audible.
Once home with the container of gooseberries, I debated how to best make use of my small cache. I pondered incorporating them into some larger recipes, before deciding that their highest purpose was to become a tiny batch of gooseberry jam.
I consulted The River Cottage Preserves book (written by Pam Corbin, who is the reigning queen of gooseberries) to refresh my memory on ratios and preparation before diving in. With so few berries, it took no time to trim away the tops and tails, before heaping them in a pan.
I made this jam with one part fruit and one part sugar, by weight (it’s more sugar than I normally use, but gooseberries are quite tart). I also added a generous splash of water, to dampen the sugar until the berries burst and added their liquid. The finished jam vibrates with the tangy essence of gooseberry and I’m saving the sole 12 ounce jar I made as a mid-winter treat.
Tiny Batch Gooseberry Jam
Ingredients
- 8 ounces gooseberries topped and tailed
- 8 ounces granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- juice from 1/2 a lemon
Instructions
- Prepare a boiling water bath canner and a 12 ounce jam jar.
- Combine the prepped gooseberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan.
- Set the pan on the stove over medium-high heat and begin to cook. If all the liquid evaporates before the gooseberries pop, add a splash more water.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, until the gooseberries have popped and the mess has thickened.
- Taste the jam and add more lemon juice, if necessary for flavor balance.
- Remove the pan from the stove and funnel the jam into the prepared jar. Wipe the rims, apply the lid and ring, and process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes.
FYI you don’t actually need to top and tail gooseberries. I know it’s not that much work for a small batch like this, but I have a plant that produces at least 2-3 gallons a year! So I’ve learned to just pick off the larger stems and call it a day. The main difference is that it looks a little less refined with all the dried flower petals mixed in. Texturally the tops and tails are insignificant compared to the seeds.
Agreed! When I make boozeberry jam, I just pull off the stems and carry on. The flower bits have never made any difference. 🙂
ok, you got me at booze, um I mean boozeberry jam. I don’t suppose you have a recipe to go with that tantalizing name?
Unfortunately, I don’t.
My mouth was all puckery just reading this delicious article.
If I cut back on the sugar, will it make the jam not turn out properly? My yellow currants are much sweeter than my red ones. Thanks.
Wish I had seen this before I went to farmers market last Saturday. They had some exactly like your picture but I was not sure of what to do with them. Know now so hope they have some this Saturday. Appreciate all the information you provide for everyone always, thank you!
How do you set up your canner for small or micro batches like these?
The pot I use for hot water bath canning is larger than most batches I end up making, so I usually add empty jars as space fillers to keep everything facing upright, but I’m wondering if there’s some trick to it.
I vary the size of the pot I use when I process smaller batches. I talk a little about that in this post: https://foodinjars.com/2013/07/new-to-canning-start-here-equipment/
What to do with the seeds and skins? Will have to strain it as I funnel it. No word of that in directions, was surprised to find this problem. Also, Mine is way too liquid, will have to cook it down. Never made this before, am flying a bit blind.
This is a recipe for gooseberry jam. You leave the skins and seeds in the finished product. There is no straining.
My gooseberries are going to produce enough this year to try one trial batch of tiny jam. I’m a diabetic so I make jams with Splenda (& Pomona’s Pectin). Fingers crossed I can figure out a ratio because I totally get the preciousness of the berries!! I’ve been slowly converting my ornamental landscaping to berries so love the small batch options Marisa!
So glad I can help with the small batches!
It turned out great! I have Jostaberries (black currant/goose hybrid) and followed these directions. Delicious!!
So glad it worked!