Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Prickly Pear Jam – Intense Island Flavour in a Jar
Discover this luscious Sicilian prickly pear jam — uniquely sweet, velvety and perfect for unforgettable breakfasts.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1.5 kg ripe prickly pears
- ✓ 250 g caster sugar
- ✓ Juice of 1 organic lemon
📊 Nutritional Information
If you’d like to bring a truly authentic taste of Sicily into your kitchen, this prickly pear jam is just the thing. Bursting with fruity sweetness and a fragrance as warm as the island sun, it turns Sicily’s most iconic fruit into a smooth, velvety preserve.
Perfect for breakfast on toast or brioche, and wonderful with aged cheeses, this jam is surprisingly straightforward to prepare — all you need is a little care when handling the fruit and some gentle patience at the stove. The result is a jar of pure Sicilian magic.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Sterilise the jars and lids by boiling them for at least 20 minutes, then let them dry on a clean tea towel.
- 2
Wearing gloves, carefully peel the prickly pears, removing the spines and slicing the skin lengthways.
- 3
Cut the pulp into pieces and transfer to a non-stick pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring until the fruit breaks down completely.
- 4
Pass the cooked pulp through a food mill to remove the seeds and obtain a smooth purée.
- 5
Return the purée to the pan, add the sugar and bring to the boil, stirring constantly.
- 6
Squeeze the lemon and add the juice to the jam. Continue cooking gently for about 45 minutes, until it thickens.
- 7
Test the consistency by placing a drop on a cold plate: if it runs slowly, it’s ready.
- 8
Pour the hot jam into sterilised jars, leaving 1 cm of headspace. Seal well and turn the jars upside down until cool.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add a pinch of cinnamon or a strip of lemon zest during cooking for extra aroma. For a paler jam, use yellow prickly pears; for a richer flavour and colour, choose the red San Cono variety.
📦 Storage
- • Store in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.
- • Once opened, keep in the fridge and consume within 15 days.
- • Always check that the vacuum seal is intact before storing long-term.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy this jam on toasted bread or Sicilian brioche, or serve it with aged cheeses such as Sicilian pecorino for a delicious sweet–salty contrast.
You’ve just made a jar of pure Sicilian sunshine. Sweet, velvety and wonderfully aromatic, this prickly pear jam is the perfect way to start the day or to add an authentic touch of island tradition to your table.
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