Homemade Pineapple Jam
A sweet and practical homemade pineapple jam filling made with fresh pineapple, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of cornstarch for texture. Perfect for filling empanadas, pies, pastries, or simply enjoying with toast, crackers, or desserts.
Equipment
- 1 Cutting board and knife
- 1 large pot
- 1 Bowls and measuring cups
- 1 Spatula and measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple
- ½ cup regular white sugar 110 g
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch 20 g
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt 3 g
- 1 cup water + 4 tablespoons water to dissolve the cornstarch
Instructions
- Choose a ripe pineapple with a golden-yellow color and a sweet aroma. Cut off the leafy crown with a firm knife to begin preparing it.
- Carefully peel the pineapple, removing only the first thick layer of the skin and leaving the eyes. Then, remove the eyes in a second pass. This part of the pineapple can be reused.
- Dice the pineapple into small cubes, leaving some pieces slightly bigger and others smaller. This will create a homemade texture, with little pieces of pineapple you can feel when tasting the jam.
- Place the pineapple pieces in a deep pot and add the sugar, vanilla, water, and salt. Stir well before turning on the heat, until the sugar dissolves completely and you no longer feel it at the bottom of the pot.
- Cook over medium heat for about 13 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture should bubble gently, without boiling too hard, so the pineapple does not overcook and can keep some of its texture.
- After that time, dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water and add it to the pineapple mixture. Stir immediately so it blends in well, and continue stirring for about 2 more minutes, until the mixture thickens and becomes evenly glossy.
- Remove the pot from the heat and keep stirring the pineapple for about 45 more seconds, so the mixture finishes thickening evenly without sticking.
- Place a bowl with ice under the pot while you continue stirring the mixture. This helps stop the pineapple from cooking further and allows the cooling process to give the jam the ideal texture.
Notes
- The riper the pineapple, the sweeter and more aromatic the jam will be, and the less sugar you may need.
- Stir constantly to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to help it cook evenly.
- Control the heat and keep it at medium-low. A strong boil can overcook the pineapple and change its texture.
- Dissolve the cornstarch very well in cold water before adding it to the mixture to avoid lumps.
- Adjust the sugar according to your taste and the ripeness of the fruit.
- Cool the jam over ice to stop the cooking process and help keep its shiny, perfect texture.
- Use clean utensils when serving. Always use a clean, dry spoon to prevent the jam from becoming contaminated.
- Store the jam in sterilized jars to help keep it fresh for longer.