It’s 9.00 a.m. The sun is shining through the kitchen door. I see my grandma, Amma as I fondly call her, sitting in her tiny kitchen by her tiny stove cooking away. My parents and my uncles were getting ready to leave to work. It was little four-year old me, snaking around the six footers, giving up on them, who landed at a safe spot next to Amma in her kitchen. Her kitchen, the abode of sweet smells, yummy food and seasoned pickles, was my favorite place too. I loved to watch Amma do her abracadabra. Amma noticed through the corner of her eye that I had come close to her for her dedicated attention. She grabbed me and gave me the most wonderful hug while whispering a secret into my ears. This afternoon, we were on a mission…… Eventually, the office goers left home, and Amma and I had to leave too. I know where I will be going, she asked me not to tell anyone.
It’s the calm after the storm. I patiently wait for Amma (grandma) to get ready. She had the longest hair touching the back of her knee, drying that took another 30 minutes. The gorgeous lady, all dressed in a beautiful silk saree, grabs hold of me in one hand and a wire basket in another. We lock the doors, and off we go.
It’s hot and not too humid. We walk through the hustle and bustle of Bangalore streets. It takes a good 20 minutes to get to a big marketplace. There’s so much noise and crowd, and I’m scared. She browses, very shrewdly bargains, and manages to fill her basket with fresh crispy fruits with not a single bruised fruit. With an overfilled basket and a little child, she’s ready to take an auto. It takes another 20 minutes to reach the place that I was looking forward to. The JAM factory.
It’s a huge 2000 square foot building with white washed walls and bigger than life machines. As we enter, the smell of fruits and the excitement of 15 middle aged ladies was a sight. I search for other kids whom I can talk to. They are all playing which doesn’t attract me much. I go back and see all the ladies are at work. They are busy chopping up the fruits they purchased. There are a bunch of huge vessels next to them with kilograms of sugar. Just the smell of sugar is intoxicating. I slowly forget my little friends and hang on around my grandma and her friends. She is excited to show me how they cook it. I can hear all the ladies talk about what they cooked for breakfast, complain about the daughter in laws, and giggle away. It was loud, almost to the point where you’d think they are having a disagreement.
A few of them have started the next step; the sugar and fruits are boiling. Slowly I can feel the temperature rising. I am constantly reminded and threatened that if I went near, she will never bring me back again. I very well remember her telling me “If you got hurt even a little , your dad will kill me,” :). Hands by my side, I keep looking at what they are doing. They stir and stir some more. I see that they are getting a bit tired. The process is quick, much quicker than I expected it to be. She very quickly and carefully brings the huge pot to the next station where there are bottles lined up like soldiers in a row. She carefully pours them in with a funnel and bottles it up. It’s time to leave.
I am excited to go home to try it out. Now our bag, which was filled with fruits, is now filled with bottles of red beautiful jam. Saying our byes, we take an auto to get back home before the rest are back from work. She carefully puts all the bottles in her armoire, except one. I follow her into the kitchen and watch as she makes fresh chapathis and spreads the jam,rolls it, one for her and one for me. It’s what I waited for for the last few hours, I take a bite and we both smile.
Amma is now an angel in the heavens for me, but I feel her presence in everything, everyday. She seemed to have a million hands. She would cook, care, wash, see off people, comfort the sick, hold me in her arms, make me feel like Miss Universe, and did a lot more.
Amma handed over some of the best time tested recipes, down generations, which to this day are well received. I treasure her recipes like some would treasure their diamonds and gold. As I stir, I can almost feel her standing with me, encouraging me. She built memories for us, and this was a special one. The ones who love her are countless. I loved and love her from the moon and back.
If you stayed through moon and back, thank so so much, I really appreciate your patience and love. Please do follow me on Insta to see my daily doses of food.
Jams are the easiest to make, and you can control the sugar and what goes into it. It preserves well without the additives and is so versatile. It can be made into many many different variations, and you can add spices to give that special touch. This is one I always go to. This was the one I grew up with, and every summer we bottle up as much as we can. If you haven’t tried jam at home, you should. It’s so easy, and you will end up never getting it at stores.
- 4 apples diced up
- 2 cups red grapes
- 3 bananas
- 2 cups diced srawberries
- 2 plums diced
- 2 apricots diced
- 1 cup sugar (use accordingly)
- a pinch of salt
- Juice of 1 large lemon and the peel
- Knife and cutting board(everything cleaned very well)
- Measuring cups
- 2- to 3-quart, heavy-bottomed pot
- A masher
- A wooden spatula or a steel large spatula
- Clean half-pint jar with lid or small bottles(washed, sterilized and dried)
- 4 teaspoons chilled in the freezer
- 2-3 tbsp valhorna cocoa(optional)
- 1 tsp cardamom(optional)
- In a thick bottomed pan, preferably a steel or a copper pot, add all the cut fruits. Add the sugar, pinch of salt and lemon juice and the rind(peel) of one lemon. Keep the rind large so you can fish it out later.
- Bring it to a boil and keep stirring so the bottom doesn't scorch.
- Mash the fruits a bit with a masher. You can use electric hand blender for a smoother texture.
- Keep stirring for about 15 minutes. When you see the bubbles have become smaller, take out a spoon from the freezer and add a drop of the fruit on it and see if it sets. If it stay as a blob and doesn't spread then your jam is done. Another way to test if the jam is done is take some on the spoon and run your finger on the back, if it leaves a path, then it's done. You can also drop a small drop on a plate and see if it spreads.
- Check for sweetness, if you want more, add more and keep stirring till it's done. Jam almost gets done in about 20-25 minutes.
- Add the cocoa to half the batch if you bottle it up. You can add more or less of cocoa or omit it altogether.
- Bottle it up in clean sterilized bottles.
- If you plan to use it throughout the year, you could boil the filled bottles in a huge pot filled with water for about 10 minutes.
- It stays great up to a year if you properly can it and sterilize everything very well before hand.
Use as much sugar or less you want, because it depends on how sugary the fruits are.
Fruit varies in water content as well, and some fruits may take longer to jam up. Pay attention to to the bubble size, sheeting, and use the spoon test!
REMEMBER- Home made jam is of thinner consistency because we do not add any pectin. If you do like thick set jam, then add some pectin to it.
Additions: Your can add any spice you want, you can omit the cocoa and cardamom.
memories to cherish…. you have had a lovely childhood….I ham so happy for u.. I will try for sure
Absolutely true Viji. My grandma made is so very special. Thanks so so much my dear for stopping to comment. xoxo
The mixed fruit jam is of course amazing. But the story with your sweet Amma was truly one of the best things we read for a long time. Having similar memories here, in an older, simpler era Greece with our grandmas, your story struck a very big chord! What a wonderful, enjoyable reading, full of universal goodness was this. God bless you Ash!
Lots of love,
Panos and Mirella
xoxoxo
Childhood memories are the sweetest of all! What a beautiful jam!
Childhood memories are more sweeter than jam. Beautiful pictures and jam.
I smile reading this, thinking of your Amma. What a treasure she was and what a treasure load of memories and tastes she left you. I love this jam, so intriguing with the cocoa. It’s right up my alley. Thanks for sharing all your unique recipes and stories. xo
Such a beautiful and touching story about your Amma. I love how recipes passed down from generations connect us to our loved ones who are shining down on us. Thank you so much for sharing such a fond memory <#
Wow I just love your story. Holding dear our heritage recipes and memories is something to be treasured. I can sooooo relate! I feel like I’m channeling my meme (grandmother) when I cook her recipes. I feel her beside me and would swear her hands go into making these meals with me because it tastes and smells just like she used to make. It’s a phenomenon. and thanks so much for sharing!
How I loved this post and the trip down memory lane in Bangalore. I feel as though I were holding your Amma’s other hand. Sweet memories live on in every thing you do, and especially in this lovely jam.
Sweet story and I am sure she is watching over and will be proud of you!!
I too make jam in summer and can it for rest of the year. They come so handy during winter when you are buried in the snow and don’t want to step outside to buy the jam. My kids are adapted to the homemade jam so that they cannot stand store bought jams anymore.
Touching story Asha! Grandmas are the best! My grandma still babies me… and adores me so much! the best memories are the ones that involve food and family! 🙂 great story… beautifully written!!
Oh Asha, you made me cry. What a beautiful write up, just loved reading your little story. I think memories make life worth living. I am sure your amma is very proud of you 🙂 hugs! Thanks for sharing this recipe with us, I am definitely going to give it a try!
What a beautiful memory you have of your Amma. I love when food can bring back such happy memories of our childhood. It’s a constant cycle of learning and teaching. I know some of the recipes I learned from my grandmother will be passed down to my children and hopefully their children. Thank you for sharing this lovely story, Asha! Hugs to you sweet friend!
What a wonderful story, Ash — it was really beautiful! You have such great memories of your amma, and this jam must make you feel closer to her. Thanks for sharing and I’m pinning to try this delicious jam! 🙂
Beautiful memory and post! I can say that your Amma is very proud of you today. Family recipes are the best as they always come with a memory and an experience. I miss the mixed fruit jam of my childhood…the ones we have today are great but very different. I must give this lovely recipe a try.
That’s a lovely story. I love jam making too but mostly I love eating it!
What a beautiful story! And I love this pretty jam because it has no pectin in it.
Really terrific story! Loved reading it. And I’d love this jam, too. 😉 Thanks so much.
What a fantastic story Ash, I thoroughly enjoy reading it.
I love this jam too, it looks fantastic. And as usual the pictures are stunning, just stunning!
Oh Asha – your Amma sounds a lot like mine – such a wonderful grandma! What a memory you have and love how beautifully you relate the story behind this wonderful mixed fruit jam!
Btw – I am so glad that I am not the only one who thinks “the smell of sugar is intoxicating”! My daughter pokes fun at me when I say that – now I am gonna tell her you feel the same!
I could see this being really really tasty on some coconut flour bread 😉
I love the story Asha. From the get go you were a foodie and a food visionary. I love how food ties us to our roots, our family and our memories. You put so much love into all you do and those who circle around your orbit are the ones who benefit and feel the love . It’s so beautiful !
Gorgeous pics and an amazing fruit preserve recipe. But the memories shared with us are priceless. xx
I just read your post about your Amma and it evokes such sweet childhood memories, she instilled a most important gift to you…memories and the lessons of lovingly preparing food. I think everything you share on IG looks so amazing and am happy that I can refer to your blog to teach myself how to prepare these awesome and healthy dishes.
Thanks so much for your sweet words. I am really blessed to have such sweet friends and thanks for your support. <3
Wow what a lovely tale of love…….I can imagine tiny hands in the grasp of firm and soft hands. Its beautiful
Shella, thanks so much for stopping by to comment on my very favorite post. Means a lot. xx
Of course I stayed through the moon and back. Your story really struck a chord for me, as I’m sure it did for so many of us who remember special times in the kitchens of our grandmothers. You are a beautiful story teller. Thank you. And I am so excited to make your jam.
What absolutely gorgeous memories Asha! Your Amma sounds like a very special lady. I’m so intrigued by the sound of this jam! 😀
When I read the title of your post, I had some of my own memories come flooding back. I never spent any time in India as such. We only went on holiday once in awhile. Many times my grandparents would just come to London. But, on the summers we did go, I have lovely memories of the food and the little kitchens.
My nana had a massive sweet tooth. One of my favourite memories of him is finding him in the fridge, with the door propped open, fishing out some mixed fruit jam ( the one that used to come in tins) and then s,eating copious amounts of malai all over to eat as his dessert 🙂
I loved my nana like you loved your Amma.
Loved your story and memory, Amma was obviously a smart, beautiful wonderful lady.
The jam is fab too.
Such a sweet post remembering your Amma! I’m sure she is loving that you made this jam in memory of her. Sounds absolutely delightful!
This is a stunning piece of writing. I am transported! Of course the images are as beautiful as always. GREG
I love the memories, thanks for the smile and care free nature that you wrote in!
Jam is one of my favorites, especially on toast in the Fall. Yours looks great!
This is such beautiful post with such sweet memories, Ash! Amma sounds like an incredible women and I’m sure she’s so so happy that every time you make this gorgeous jam or any of her special recipes you think fondly of her 🙂 It sounds perfect!
Your Amma sound like a fairy-tale character and you had a fairy-tale childhood. Loved every bit of the Jam-factory memoir. Beautifully written. I’ve read it with all my heart. Didn’t know that you’re an undercover wordsmith 🙂
Thank you for the lovely share.
About the ruby red jam and your photography: fancy words won’t come into play here, I know, as they are simply FANTASTIC!