Fresh Apricot Preserve

This recipe is from Delia's Summer Collection.

This is my mother's recipe, and every year she waits patiently for the price of apricots to come down – which usually happens in August, especially at the end of a warm summer day when whole boxes are sold off at the markets by stallholders at bargain prices.

To sterilise the jars, wash them thoroughly in warm soapy water, rinse and heat in a moderate oven for 5 minutes.

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Making some Apricot Preserve

Asked by: maggs

I want to make some apricot jam but the recipe does not state whether I should stone the fruits first or what to do with the stones? Please help I don't want to cause any dental problems whilst eating

Answered by Lindsey: Lindsey’s on holiday at the moment but we can tell you that the apricot preserve was revised a while back and it no longer includes the kernels so you can discard the stones. Best wishes from the Delia Online Team.

Method

Begin this the night before you actually want to make the jam.

Take a large casserole or small preserving pan and grease the base with a smear of the butter to prevent the preserve sticking. Halve the apricots and place them in layers in the pan, sprinkling the sugar in between the layers. Add the lemon juice, then cover with a clean cloth and leave them overnight – this pre-soaking in sugar firms up the fruit and this will ensure that the apricot pieces stay intact when you come to make the jam.

To make the preserve, first pop three small plates into the freezer (this is for testing the set), then place the pan over a medium heat and let the sugar melt and completely dissolve – about 15 minutes. The sugar must be absolutely clear and free of granules, otherwise the preserve will be sugary. When the sugar has dissolved turn up the heat to its very highest and let the mixture boil very rapidly for about 10-20 minutes, stirring from time to time to prevent sticking. After that use the cold plates to test for a set. Remove the pan from the heat and place a teaspoonful of the preserve on one of the plates.

Allow it to cool for a few seconds, then push it with your finger: if a crinkly skin has formed on the jam, then it has set. If it hasn't set, boil it again for another 5 minutes and do another test. When you have a set, remove the preserve from the heat and stir in a trace of butter, which will disperse any scum that has formed and let it settle for 15 minutes before pouring it into the warmed sterilised jars.

Seal while still warm and label the jars when cold.