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Sicilian loquat jam in a jar with fresh fruit and green leaves

Sicilian Loquat Jam – Spring Sweetness in a Jar

Discover this delicate Sicilian loquat jam — a light, fragrant spring preserve full of flavour and natural goodness.

Author: Anna Marino Published on: May 15, 2022
⏱️
Prep Time
20 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
40 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Easy
💰 Low cost
🗓️ Spring
4.9/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • Pulp of 1 kg fully ripe loquats
  • 300 g sugar
  • Juice of 1 organic lemon

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
160 kcal
Protein
1 g
Fat
0 g
Carbohydrates
40 g
Fiber
2 g
Sugars
37 g

Loquat jam is one of Sicily’s most delicate and underrated spring preserves. Golden, lightly floral and naturally sweet, it captures all the freshness of a fruit that’s often overlooked yet wonderfully rich in aroma and beneficial properties.

Making it at home is surprisingly simple — and the result is a jar of silky, fragrant jam that tastes just like the ones Sicilian families have been making for generations.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Select fully ripe loquats, wash and dry them, then remove the stems and stones.

  2. 2

    Peel away the skin and thin inner membrane, collecting the pulp in a bowl.

  3. 3

    Squeeze the lemon juice over the pulp to prevent browning.

  4. 4

    Weigh the pulp to calculate the sugar amount (about 25% of its weight).

  5. 5

    Add three tablespoons of sugar, mix well, cover with cling film and let the mixture macerate in the fridge for 6 hours.

  6. 6

    Transfer the mixture to a saucepan, add the remaining sugar and cook over a medium heat for 30–40 minutes.

  7. 7

    Blend with a hand blender until smooth and velvety, then allow it to thicken for a further 10 minutes.

  8. 8

    Pour the hot jam into sterilised jars, leaving 1 cm of headspace. Seal and turn upside down to create a vacuum seal.

💡 Tips and Variations

Add a piece of vanilla pod or a teaspoon of grated ginger for a more aromatic jam. For a rustic texture, avoid fully blending the mixture.

📦 Storage

  • Store jars in a cool, dark place away from heat sources.
  • Once opened, keep in the fridge and consume within 15 days.
  • Always check the vacuum seal before long-term storage.

🍷 Pairing

Loquat jam is wonderful on bread, in tarts and biscuits, and pairs beautifully with fresh cheeses or plain yoghurt.

You've just prepared a delicious, old-fashioned loquat jam — delicate, fragrant and packed with the scent of the Sicilian spring. Every spoonful is a little taste of sunshine.

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