Rhubarb Vanilla Bean Jam

Rhubarb jam might not be everyone’s first choice to spread on toast in the morning. But I love the earthy, tart and sweet flavors and the amalgam of smooth and chunky textures—not to mention the pretty green color.

I decided to throw in a vanilla bean, which adds a nice flavor and tiny, pretty black speckles.

Although it looks like a truckload of sugar, don’t be tempted to reduce it; it’s not there just to sweeten the jam, but to act as a chemical agent. When it melts, it binds to the water in the rhubarb, resulting in a thick, non-runny jam.

Even a small amount of lemon adds a nice kick and balances out the sweetness, but it’s also high in natural pectin, which helps the jam to gel.

It would make sense to double the recipe if you end up with large quantities of fruit, but it’s actually faster to make two identical batches. Also, it somehow makes a better jam.

If you you’re in love with rhubarb like me, try making this insane crumble:

Gluten-Free Rhubarb-Strawberry Crumble

Now you.

How do you feel about rhubarb in general? And what do you spread on your toast?

Tell me in your comments.

Rhubarb Vanilla Bean Jam

• Author: Michal Martinek
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: About 3 cups of jam 1x

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Description

An amalgam of smooth and chunky textures, and tart and sweet flavors with a pretty green color.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds rhubarb, trimmed, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ¼ cup water
• 1 vanilla bean
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons natural fruit pectin
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Place the rhubarb and water in a wide, medium saucepan.
2. Split the vanilla bean open lengthwise with a sharp knife. Holding the bean with your fingers, scrape out the seeds with a knife or spoon, and add them with the bean to the saucepan.
3. Mix to combine and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until the rhubarb softens and releases its juices, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the sugar, fruit pectin and lemon juice, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, and continue cooking for another 8 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat, and take out the vanilla bean. (You can dry the vanilla bean on a paper towel and stick it in your sugar container to give the sugar a nice vanilla scent).
6. Carefully ladle the jam into the prepared jars, leaving a ¼-inch border at the top. Wipe the rim off and seal with a lid.
7. Put a clean, folded kitchen towel on the bottom of a saucepan. Position the jars on top of the towel, and fill the saucepan with cold water until the jars are fully submerged.
8. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil the jars for 3 minutes, and then turn the heat off.
9. Let the jam stand in the water until completely cooled. Remove from the water and dry with a towel.
10. Store the unopened jam in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
11. Store an opened jam jar in the fridge for up to 4 months.

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Notes

Put a folded clean kitchen towel on the bottom of the saucepan when you boil the jam jars. It creates a protective layer and minimizes the risk of the jars breaking.