A simple recipe for making chokeberry and apple jam

Aronia jam with apples is an interesting dish. The distinctive feature of this delicacy is its tart flavor. The more chokeberries used in the recipe, the more pronounced the aroma. However, if you overdo it with the amount, the taste will be too astringent. To prevent this, cooks add spices (cinnamon and others) and granulated sugar to the jam. The addition of apples adds a richer flavor.

Recommendations for proper preparation for the cooking process

Many have tried apple jam. Even a child would enjoy it. However, apple jam paired with chokeberry is unlikely to be consumed so often.

Nowadays, it's hardly surprising to find several jars of chokeberry jam in the house. The berries have long been used to prepare all sorts of sweet dishes other than jam (compotes, infusions, pie fillings, teas, and so on). Chokeberry has a rather tart taste, but when used in moderation and paired with other complementary ingredients, it's practically unnoticeable.

Chokeberries are rich in a wealth of beneficial components (minerals and vitamins), which have a beneficial effect on the entire body and promote health. However, the plant's high astringency prevents them from being eaten fresh, although this may be a concern for some people.

To subtly enhance and alter the flavor, other fruits or spices are often added to jam. Pears, quince, apples, and plums are particularly popular. When combined with chokeberry, they soften the tartness, giving the treat a richer, more mellow taste.

When making jam, it is recommended to follow several tips, namely:

1. For the jam, use fresh apples and chokeberries in a 1:1 ratio. Flavor can be adjusted by varying the amounts of each ingredient. For example, the more apples you use, the richer and less tart the flavor.
2. If you use sour apples, you will need more granulated sugar.
3. To improve the taste and add new “notes” during the preparation of jam, lemon balm (refreshes the dish), cinnamon (in the form of a stick or powder), and lemon zest are added.
4. To avoid any problems during cooking, it's recommended to use enamel-coated pans instead of aluminum. The same goes for spoons used for stirring the jam (preferably wooden ones).

Note! Chokeberries and apples aren't just used for making preserves. They also make amazing jams. First, boil the ingredients, strain them, add sugar, and boil again (wait until the mixture thickens).

Some housewives use vanilla pods or extract to improve the taste and add delicate notes to the dish.

Preparing the ingredients

Before you begin making the jam, you need to carefully prepare the ingredients. The chokeberries and apples should be fresh and undamaged. This will ensure the final product is delicious and, most importantly, healthy. When making chokeberry jam, keep this in mind, as everyone wants to experience the taste of summer in a frosty, snowy winter.

To ensure the delicacy has a rich and delicate flavor, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

1. When making jam, it's best to use chokeberries harvested in the fall. Late-ripening berries are less tart and sweeter.
2. The delicacy will be tastier if you take firm, late apples without damage.

The prepared ingredients should be thoroughly washed and then dried. Peel the apples and cut them into small squares. Remove the chokeberries from their stems, carefully sort them, and wash them again.

If the jam contains lemon juice or zest, it is recommended to choose citrus fruits that are preferably medium-sized and have bright yellow skin without any damage.

Note! To add tenderness and softness to the dish, it is recommended to steep the chokeberries in boiling water 2-3 times for a few seconds.

How to make apple jam with chokeberry

A simple recipe for making jam involves using the following products:

• apples (one kilogram);
• three hundred grams of chokeberry;
• five hundred grams of sugar.

To enhance the flavor, I also add a cinnamon stick.

Principles of preparing a dish for the winter:

1. First, prepare a sweet syrup (two cups of granulated sugar and the same amount of water). Place the ingredients in a container and bring to a boil. Add a cinnamon stick.
2. Once boiling, add the chopped apples and simmer for half an hour. Once they've darkened and softened, add the chokeberries and simmer for 15-25 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat and fill the jars with jam, then close the lids.

Storing jam

To black rowan jam To preserve the beneficial properties for a long time, it is not recommended to refrigerate the jars immediately after preparation. It is better to wait until they cool. Storage temperature is +3-5°C in winter and +20°C in summer.