This Spicy Berry Jam will add a fiery kick to your desserts, breakfast, or cheese plate. Starring Pandemic Polly Pepper ground dehydrated scorpion peppers, this homemade jam recipe will bring out the fire-breathing dragon in you!
Ever since my apprenticeship at the Munchies Test Kitchen, I’ve made it a habit to clean out my fridge once a week. It’s easy to forget all about those herbs and veggies buried in the back of your fridge…until you find them all brown, mushy, and smelly. Ick! 😝
Recently, I found bags of frozen strawberries and raspberries that have been in my freezer for God know’s how long. So I did what one does with an abundance of fruit. Maketh jam…but with a twist, of course!
Why Use Ground Scorpion Pepper in Your Jam?
- Enhance the flavor of your fruit–any kind! Not just berries.
- Satisfy anyone with a heat (and sweet) tooth.
- A one-of-a-kind product! You won’t find it anywhere else, but here.
- With every purchase of Ground Scorpion Pepper, you are supporting a small business affected by Covid-19 (hence the name Pandemic Polly Peppers) 😷🌶
Endless Uses for Spicy Jam!
- Serve it on a cheese platter.
- Spread it on a grilled cheese sandwich or hamburger.
- Top it on pancakes, oatmeal, scones…pretty much any breakfast good.
- Swirl it into ice cream or yogurt.
- Spread it on thumbprint or sandwich cookies.
- Make spicy homemade Pop-Tarts.
- Serve it with roast pork or lamb.
Tips for Making Jam with Ground Scorpion Pepper
- Handle it with extreme caution. Use ground scorpion pepper sparingly, starting with a tiny pinch and adding more if you want it hotter.
- DO NOT touch it with your bare hands. Use a spoon or wear gloves when handling ground scorpion pepper. That heat will stay on your fingers for a while, even after they’ve been washed.
- Use scorpion pepper substitutes. Any ground fiery pepper like cayenne or red pepper flakes will make a great alternative. Just be sure to slightly increase the amount in your jam.
- Use in-season fruit. From the farmer’s market or home gardens, if possible. It truly makes a difference. If not, frozen fruit (thawed) is the way to go 👌
- Don’t limit yourself to berries. Try making spicy jam with peaches, pineapple, mango…any fruit that’s in season, or in your fridge/freezer.
- Make jam in a heavy-bottom pot. Use something like a Le Creuset, which will help the jam cook evenly and prevent scorching.
Spicy Berry Jam with Ground Scorpion Pepper
MAKES: 3, 8-ounce Jars⎪ DIFFICULTY: Intermediate⎪ FUNK: Moderate
Mise en Place
- about 4 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- a tiny pinch Ground Scorpion Pepper
COOKS NOTE If you plan to can and preserve your jam, I find this video very helpful.
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1. MACERATE THE FRUIT
Toss the berries and sugar in a heavy-bottom pot. Set aside for 20 minutes to macerate.
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2. MAKE THE JAM
Once the juices are pulled from the fruit, simmer the berries over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pot. When the juices reduce and start to the thicken, check for doneness by spooning a bit of jam onto a chilled plate and dragging your finger through it. If it leaves a clean line through the jam, it’s ready! This whole process can take anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes.
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3. ADD THE HEAT
When your jam is ready, stir in the lemon juice and Ground Scorpion Pepper. Taste the jam and add more heat to taste (tho I doubt you’ll need to). If you think it’s too spicy, add more lemon juice.
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4. STORE
Spoon the jam into glass jars, seal, and store them in the fridge or freezer for up to 1 year.
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VARIATIONS
Mace Variation: Substitute ground scorpion pepper with 2 Blades Mace.
Did you make Spicy Berry Jam with Ground Scorpion Pepper? Let me know how it turned out and leave a comment below!