How to make mango jam

Here on our little farm we have mango trees and for four months we have a continous supply of mangoes. This poses a problem as to how to use these. If left to rot on the ground the wasps and fruit flies invade.

I am always looking for inspiration as to how to use more.We drink mango juice every day, have mango crumble, and now I am making jam. We also give mangoes to all our visitors who aren't lucky enough to have the trees in their gardens.

In our house we love toast in the morning. I have always wanted to make jam but when I lived in England and America it was always easier to go to the store and buy it. Here, in rural Brazil, jam or jelly is available, but to me it is lacking in flavor and not the thick rich consistency I am use to and love. I had two options, give up eating it or make it. Obviously I chose the latter. I had no jam making experience but this is so easy.

I don't' use pectin in this recipe so the thickening process is done by continued cooking with sugar until desired consistency.

Ingredients

1 large ripe mango

1/4 cup sugar

Juice of 1/2 a lemon or lime

This adds just a bit of a zing. You could also try adding a bit of ginger or cinnamon.

At the start you will have a wet lumpy mixture. Don't worry.

Keep cooking, stirring, and  reducing over a low heat until it looks like this. Congratulations, you have made jam.

While you are making your jam, prepare your jar.To sterilize I first wash it and then place the jar and lid in a pan of boiling water. I leave this for 10 minutes slowing simmering away. When the jam is done I remove the jar with tongs from the boiling water. Whilst the jam and jar are hot, I carefully spoon the jam into the jar and put the lid on. I then place the jar with the lid on in a bowl of cool tap water. Often I change the water a few times to cool this as quickly as possible. I then put this in the jam into the refrigerator. This will make enough for toast for hungry family but if you are wanting to make loads, pectin will be necessary and proper canning jars.

Ball Canning Utensil Set

The Ball® Utensil Set helps you safely and easily handle hot jars and lids, fill jars and measure headspace and remove air bubbles. Set Includes: Jar Funnel: Place in mouth of jar to fill without spilling Jar Lifter: Safely lift jars out of hot water with the blue gripping end Lid Lifter: Lift lids out of hot water with the magnetic end Bubble Remover & Headspace Tool: Slide into the side of filled jar to release air bubbles and measure headspace.

If you are planning to give home made jam as a present, consider the decoration for the top of the jar. Either with fabric such as gingham cut with zig zag scissors or perhaps a simple cross stitch.

Mangoes are very fibrous and this recipe will result in jam with a few lumps of mango.If you prefer smooth mango jam, click here. This will take you to a page about making mango juice. Follow the procedure to get the mango puree and then continue cooking as above.