Delicious jam invariably warms us in the winter, recalling the warm summer days. However, it happens that its traditional types become boring: you want something new and unusual. And sometimes the capricious weather brings the whole crop to nothing - in such years it is impossible or too expensive to stock up goodies from the usual cherries, apricots, apples and other things. To the rescue come recipes less well-known and very original. For example, squash jam with oranges and lemons. Its rich taste and incomparable aroma often surprises those who first try the delicacy: it is quite difficult to guess the composition.
Worthy candidate
This type of blanks for the winter is not in every family among the traditional ones. And completely in vain! Jam from zucchini with oranges and lemons, as knowledgeable people say, is very useful, and not only because of the content of citrus fruits. The vegetables that form the basis of goodies are good for health in themselves and do not lose this property even after heat treatment.
And, of course, lemons with oranges also contribute. Citrus fruits are always welcome guests on the table during the winter colds, both fresh and as part of jam. They not only contribute to supporting the immune system, but also cheer you up, reminding you of summer.
Ingredient Features
Zucchini, as you know, in themselves is quite neutral. If you make jam only from them, it will have a mild taste and is unlikely to become loved by anyone. For greater expressiveness and saturation to the zucchini add ingredients that have a rich aroma. Most often it is only lemons or their combination with an orange. Sometimes zucchini is combined with dried apricots, canned pineapple, apples, plums or sea buckthorn. According to many housewives, the citrus version is beyond competition.
In addition, zucchini jam with oranges and lemons acquires a wonderful amber shade during the preparation process. A beautiful and healthy treat can be used for filling cakes and rolls, as a layer of cakes or just as a dessert for tea.
Ingredient preparation
So, how to make zucchini jam with lemon and orange? First you need to stock up on the following products:
- zucchini or zucchini (prepared) - 1 kg;
- orange and lemon - one each.
Zucchini need to be washed and cleaned. Then cut in half and use a spoon to free from seeds. Then you can do two ways: either cut the zucchini into cubes, or grate on a coarse grater. In the first case, the presence of vegetables will be most noticeable.
Orange and lemon should be thoroughly washed and rinsed with boiling water. Citrus fruits must be cut and also peeled. Then they are crushed using a blender or meat grinder along with the peel.
Main stage
After all the ingredients are prepared, they are transferred to a suitable pan or bowl. The resulting mixture is sprinkled with sugar and left for a while, so that the juice appears.
The recipe for squash jam with lemon and orange for each housewife is slightly different from other options. So, you can cook a treat at a time. In this case, after boiling, it is cooked on a small fire for about two hours, that is, until it is finally ready.
You can do otherwise. Jam is prepared in three stages. The first two times the mixture is brought to a boil and left on the fire for another two to three minutes. In the break before sets, the jam should be completely cooled. The third time after boiling, the bowl is not removed from the stove for about 20 minutes. All this time the jam should be stirred so that it does not burn. This cooking option is good if you want to maintain the shape of slices of zucchini, and when there is no time to follow the boiling mixture for several hours.
The final stage
Jam from zucchini with oranges and lemons on the banks is better to lay out still hot. Glass containers and lids must first be sterilized. To do this, you can use any of the existing methods. It is very convenient to sterilize jars in the oven. Pre-wash thoroughly. Then it is placed in a cold oven, put the neck down. For sterilization, heating is needed at about 150º. After the oven reaches the desired temperature, the cans are left in it for about 15 minutes. Lids can also be sterilized in a pot of boiling water for five minutes.
Today, the popular option of processing cans using a microwave. Washed and empty containers are placed in it. The microwave is turned on at full power. Banks are considered ready as soon as they become completely dry.
Ideally, the preparation of the containers should be completed by the time the jam is finally prepared. A hot treat is laid out in jars and covered with lids.
Jam
Not everyone loves zucchini jam with lemon slices. In order for the delicacy to acquire a more uniform consistency, all ingredients can be crushed using a blender at the stage of preparation of products. In this case, you get jam. It will also be convenient for them to stuff pies or rolls.
Tasty jam from zucchini and sunny lemons and oranges leaves no one indifferent. Often the one who first tried such a delicacy, can not even understand what is its main ingredient. The reason for this is both the ability of zucchini to acquire the taste of other products, and the unusual nature of this composition.
Surprise guests and households with other options on the subject of squash jam. Experimenting with additional ingredients will help you find your favorite variant of the treat - healthy, tasty and non-standard. Zucchini jam is good to use in the winter and as a complement to tea, and as a filling for pies in combination with other products. A bright sunny treat will warm you with the warmth of summer for long cold days, which more than pays for the time and effort spent on its preparation.