Concord Grape Jam
Right now, somewhere out there in syndication world, maybe on TBS, Nick at Nite, or WGN, they’re re-running the episode of Friends where Monica makes pots and pots of jam because she’s depressed and Joey sits around eating it all.
Now, Joey Tribbiani and I are one in many ways (see also: Thanksgiving pants and discussion of moo points), but perhaps none more so than in our shared jam obsession–in my case, Concord grape jam.
Every autumn, as the leaves turn crimson and the days get shorter, I too shift my rhythms: I turn into Monica Geller, go on a massive housecleaning binge, and make loads of jam.
And though there are infinite jam varieties in the world, this is the one I turn to year after year.
I actually can’t make too much of it at once because it will be my breakfast and dinner every day until the jar is empty. Today is day two of the latest batch.
If I don’t run out of edible delivery vehicles on which to smear the indigo elixir, it could be gone before Thanksgiving.
It’s deceptive, really. Concord grapes have a dusty, dull skin, an unpolished charcoal hue that only hints at the ultraviolet purple potential, the vividly sweet concoction that out-grapes its Smuckers brethren with the most purely distilled grapeyness ever encountered.
It’s the flavor of the all-purpose room and foldable tables, of jelly damply soaking into wheat bread after being bagged up in the lunchbox all morning, but better, fresher, more intense.
These days, instead of traditional peanut butter and jelly, I’d rather eat Concord grape jam layered with cream cheese on a bagel.
Or generously spread atop sourdough bread that’s been brushed with a wee bit of salted butter (this works equally well with sour cherry jam).
Or inspired by Shake Shack‘s custard of the month, dolloped over vanilla ice cream as an impromptu sundae topping.
Yes, the sensible question here is why I don’t just bust out my water-bath canning equipment so I can luxuriate in Concord jam year-round? I very well could.
But apart from my irrational impatience with canning (some people can’t deal with poaching eggs, I get really testy when I’m spending hours poaching glass jars), part of me wonders if I would love it so much if it were always available.
Like how I binge on Cadbury Mini-Eggs every Easter until the sight of one repulses me, some things are just better in limited quantities.
Adapted from The Lee Bros.’ recipe for scuppernong preserves in The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook, the following recipe should make enough jam to get you through the month.
Concord Grape Jam
Concord grapes, now in season, are perfect for a batch of extra-purple Concord grape jam. You'll be smearing it all over your face like Joey Tribbiani.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Concord grapes
- 2/3 cup (167 grams; 4 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Gently squeeze each grape to separate its innards from its skin and divide between two bowls. It's a bit tedious, yes, but not half as annoying as pitting pounds of sour cherries.
- Add the grape innards to a small (1-quart) saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat
- Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the orbs disintegrate into a slush and the seeds are rolling around free.
- Strain the cooked grape innards through a wire strainer to remove the seeds, gently stirring with a spatula to release as much of the puree as possible.
- Add the puree, reserved grape skins, sugar, and lemon juice to a high-speed blender. Blend until the skins have broken down and the puree is smooth. (If you don't have a good blender, you can use a food processor, though the skins won't break down quite as smoothly.)
- Add the grape puree to a medium (2-quart) saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Continue to simmer for about 15-20 minutes more, stirring frequently. The jam won't completely firm up until it cools completely, but it will start to coat your spoon/spatula instead of just rolling off in a thin liquidy stream.
- The jam is ready when you can see it start to "mound" in spots when you stir it, leaving clear swipes on the bottom of the pan instead of immediately filling back in with liquid.
- Ladle the jam into clean canning jars. Let the jars cool for at least 15 minutes on the countertop before sticking in the fridge.
- Eat on the aforementioned bagels, toast, Wheat Thins, cornbread, scones, ice cream, a spoon, or your fingers.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 45Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 3gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
The nutritional information above is computer-generated and only an estimate.
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Casey Barber
Casey Barber is the owner and founder of Good Food Stories LLC and a visual storyteller whose work often focuses on the intersection of food and culture. She is also the author of the cookbooks Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food and Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand-Name Treats, and she couldn’t get anything done without the help of her executive assistant cats, Bixby and Lenny. Her favorite color is obviously orange.
I share your love of jam. Came upon some damson plums recently, which reminded my of damson jar my Nana made when I was a kid. I had to buy them and make a batch myself. Just talking about it is requiring me to go to the fridge & sample it.
BTW, thanks for the great tip about copyscape–every writer with a website should know about it.
I grew up with the heartier Southern “preserves.” Yum. BTW, your photos are fabulous!
Yum! Are you selling any jams on Baked and Bottled?
I applaud your diligence in making this jam from scratch but I have to say that any recipe that requires peeling grapes individually seems like a bad joke. I think I will need to order some from you instead! It does look delicious though!
To clarify, I did not mean to say the recipe was a bad joke! The grape peeling is the joke–in the way that my mom says, “Do you want me to peel your grapes for you?” when she is telling me I’m asking for too much. Sorry–I hope I didn’t offend! :)
Ha! Sarah, I get it, never offended here. I couldn’t imagine peeling green grapes but these pop out really easily. However, if you DO want me to peel your grapes for you, you’re gonna have to come visit me and the cats in Jersey.
Peel the grapes? See, I think this is why when I do try making jam (I so shoulda paid better attention when my mom was doing it) I’m going to start with raspberries. No peeling required.
I love concord grape jam- it reminds me of childhood. I agree that lately a smear of it with some cream cheese on a hunk of country levain is my favorite go-to dessert. Or breakfast. Or snack. Or… :)
Wish the concord grapes were easier to find in California. Great write-up Casey!
Oh, dear. Would you like me to peel your grapes for you? might just catch on as a phrase. Ha!
I pretty much ate PBJ every day as a kid. Still love it.
This doesn’t look quite as onerous as the time I decided homemade orange marmalade would make great holiday gifts. THAT is a ton of work.
You are ambitious to be making something where you actually have to peel each grape individually, I must say. But I’ll bet it’s worth it – brings back so many memories of my childhood, eating those PB&J sandwiches, and never, ever getting tired of them!
Casey, I cannot imagine taking the time to do this. What patience you must have. Did you know you can learn to make French jam at PB Boulangerie Oct. 30?http://wellfleettoday.com/index.php/things-to-do/four-swapping-ops-one-jam-making-session.html
Okay, here’s where our friendship might be really tested. I have never liked grape jam. Ever. I prefer my PB&J with strawberry or raspberry. But, I bet you could change my mind. In fact, I’m daring you to the next time you make some.
I love your Friends reference – I too have been on a pretty major cleaning binge! If only if I could get the whole jam thing down, I’d be set!
Oh, Jamie… if we lived closer, we could clean and make jam together. It would be the best of both worlds!