strawberry blood orange jam

My time in Brooklyn is down to single digit days. I seem to be walking in an alternate universe. Everything seems familiar, yet foreign. It’s in these moments that I feel greater confidence in the change we’re about to make. The conveniences of the city no longer outweigh the cravings of my mind and heart.

I’ve been trying my best to dodge the emotional landmines lurking in every closet I sort through. There are so many things I want to share, but my time is running on a deficit this week. I also don’t really have the words to match what I’m processing right now. I didn’t want to let this get in the way of sharing another strawberry recipe with you, though. I do hope you’re not tiring of them yet because I have one or two more in the works. As I baked another pie this week, I felt a bit sentimental, knowing that the brief window on one of my favorite fruits would soon close. Strawberries remind me of hope and renewal. Their scarlet hues and intensely sweet flavor are a welcome after months of eating apples and pears. Strawberries signal the start of many good things to come, much like this next chapter about to unfold.

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Strawberry Blood Orange Jam

Music Pairing: Que Sera Sera by Sly & The Family Stone

Makes enough to fill four 1/2 pint jars

After buying a load of strawberries a couple of weeks ago, I found some blood oranges from Italy at the market up the block from my apartment. I wasn’t 100% sure how they’d pair together, since both fruits have distinct flavors. Would one fruit overpower the other? I’m glad I gave it a shot because the resulting jam is by far one of my favorites in all the years I’ve been making jam. In some stroke of magic, the strawberries and oranges manage to shine through without competing for attention. A perfect marriage, in my opinion.

This recipe is now part of my new site, Simmering. It can be found here.

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20 Comments

  • Wendy

    This looks so delicious… I can’t wait to make it! When slicing the oranges, do you have to remove the membranes?

    I am very excited for you and your girls for your move. I think you will really enjoy the calmness of life of upstate NY (vs Brooklyn). They are going to love the more pronounced seasons (beautiful leaves in fall, snow forts in winter, etc). Best of luck over the next few weeks.

  • Maria in NJ

    Hi Jennie, I got your cookbook and it is so beautiful…good luck on the move and I think this is going to be good for you and the girls…don’t work to hard!

  • Radhika

    I am a bit unclear on if we have to remove the skin on the first two oranges.

    Good luck on your move!

  • Jennifer Perillo

    Hi Radhika,

    You do *not* need to remove the skin from the first two oranges.

    -Jennie

  • Cynthia A.

    Thank you for including the tip about the jammy bit hidden beneath the scum. You can also spoon that over a small bowl of plain yogurt or some vanilla ice cream. Yummy.

  • Carolyn

    The frothy stuff – we used to call it “the fuzz” – it was the best part about making jam. So many memories. I have to make some jam now, just so I can see if the fuzz is as good as I remember.

  • Krys

    I love blood oranges! This jam looks so delicious – a spoonful over some Greek yogurt would be wonderful. Oh btw I think your music pairings are so clever!

  • Terri D.

    Thank you for the lovely recipe. I am wondering do I water bath can this or pressure can this? My freezers are full & canning works best for me. I love your site and wish you and the girls all the best!

  • Patty

    Wow. Just reconnected after awhile away. We share the loss of a husband and I felt we were on a similar journey through your beautiful writings and recipes. Very happy to read about your move to the country. Look forward to this new chapter for you and your daughters.

  • Jennifer Perillo

    Terri,

    You can water bath can this jam. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

    Jennie

  • Sue from Oz

    Hi Jennie,
    I had strawberries from the freezer from my garden and blood oranges from my neighbour’s garden. No wonder I followed a link to your recipe from Food in Jars! It is delicious. I have to confess I boiled the two sliced blood oranges with peel in a little water for thirty minutes (the water reduced down to almost nothing by the end) before adding the sugar, strawbs and rest of the juices. I like my peel soft, rather than candied.
    Best of luck with your move!

  • Kenda

    Your daughters are blessed to have you. You’re the kind of mom I wished I would have had. Can you adopt me? Funny, I was watching an episode of I Love Lucy where they moved from the city to the country, and thought of you. They didn’t adjust well at first, but I’m sure you’ll do fine. 🙂

  • Jennifer Perillo

    Kenda,

    I remember that episode. I’m a huge I Love Lucy fan! I also have a little of Lucy’s hairbrain craziness. 🙂

    JP