Easy Ground Cherry Jam Recipe – No Pectin Needed!
Easy Ground Cherry Jam Recipe – No Pectin Needed!
Craving a taste of the tropics from your garden? Look no further than the ground cherry! This delightful berry is easy to grow and offers a flavor reminiscent of mango mixed with pineapple. You can cultivate it in any climate suitable for tomatoes, making it a versatile choice for gardeners everywhere. Whether you found it at your local farmers’ market or have some growing in your backyard, making ground cherry jam is a rewarding endeavor.
What is a Ground Cherry?
Ground cherries, also known as husk cherries, cape gooseberries, and strawberry tomatoes, belong to the nightshade family. These small, round fruits are encased in a papery husk that splits open as they ripen. Each plant resembles a tomato in its early stages but sprawls across the ground instead of standing tall.
Expect a single plant to yield hundreds of fruits, which are ready for picking once they fall off the plant. If stored properly by removing their papery coverings, husk cherries can last in the refrigerator for several weeks. Alternatively, you can freeze them on a rimmed cookie sheet to prevent sticking before transferring them to freezer bags for later use.
How to Make Ground Cherry Jam
When it comes to homemade jam, simplicity is key. My go-to ground cherry jam recipe includes just a few ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups husked ground cherries (about 2 pounds in husks)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice concentrate
Note: For canning, it’s best to use lemon juice from concentrate to ensure standardized acidity levels. Using fresh lemons can result in varying acidity, which may compromise safety.
Instructions:
- Begin by husking and washing your ground cherries. Add them to a large saucepan over low heat.
- Mix in the lemon juice and stir occasionally until all the berries have burst, similar to making cranberry sauce.
- Add the sugar and increase the heat to medium. Stir continuously for about 15 minutes or until the jam thickens. It’s fine if some skins remain visible.
- Before the jam cools, pour it into prepared half-pint mason jars, leaving at least ¼ inch of headspace. For short-term storage, place the jars in the fridge if you plan to consume the jam within a month.
- For long-term preservation, process in a water bath canner for five minutes at a rolling boil. Allow jars to set for 24 hours before moving. If you hear a “pop,” this indicates a proper seal.
This tangy condiment is perfect for spreading on toast or using as a glaze for chicken and pork. For my next batch, I’m considering adding a few jalapeños for an extra kick!
Quick Tips for Growing Ground Cherries
If this recipe has inspired you, consider growing your own ground cherries! They’re low-maintenance and can thrive if you can grow a tomato.
Start by selecting your variety. I recommend Aunt Molly’s Ground Cherry from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds due to its high pectin content. Other popular options include Cape Gooseberry, Mary’s Niagara, and Strawberry Husk.
To grow ground cherries, start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, similar to tomatoes. Most families will have good success with just four to six plants. Once the frost risk has passed, transplant your hardened seedlings into well-prepared garden beds enriched with fresh compost, spacing them three feet apart.
Maintenance and Harvesting:
Ground cherries are low-maintenance; they need about two inches of water per week, and a liquid organic fertilizer during flowering can be beneficial. The fruit is ready to harvest when it turns golden yellow and falls off the plant—hence the name ‘ground’ cherry. Expect your first harvest approximately 70 days post-transplanting, with a continuous yield until the first frost.
One challenge I faced this year was chipmunks, which devoured more than half my harvest. A secure garden fence can help keep pests at bay!
Ground cherries are exceptional self-seeders, so be sure to collect all fallen fruit unless you want them to regrow in the same spot next season. Their prolific nature is a bonus, encouraging you to create various recipes for preserving their delightful flavor into fall.
For more information on growing ground cherries, check out our complete guide here.
More Ground Cherry Recipe Ideas
Explore our list of 9 delicious ways to use up buckets of ground cherries and put your harvest to good use!
Conclusion
Making ground cherry jam is a delicious way to enjoy the unique flavor of this fruit. With easy-to-follow steps and minimal ingredients, you can savor this tropical-inspired treat straight from your garden. Don’t hesitate to grow your own ground cherries and experiment with different jams and recipes!
