Pineapple Jam, or "mermelada de piña" in Spanish, is a sweet and tangy essence of ripe pineapples captured in a jar. Perfect for spreading on warm bolillos (Mexican rolls), as a filling for pies, sweet empanadas, or by itself. Enjoy this delightful creation that embodies the sun-soaked essence of Mexico today!
Pineapple in Mexican Cuisine
While the fruit is not native to our country, Mexico’s warm climate has been the perfect place for the pineapple plant to grow and thrive for centuries. And like many other ingredients that arrived in our culture, we incorporated them into our everyday Mexican cuisine. We love pairing pineapple with meats; the best example is my all-time favorite tacos al pastor, the marinated and slow-roasted pork served with small pineapple pieces.
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Another great way we enjoy pineapple is by itself with powdered chili (ground piquin pepper) or in aguas frescas; we even make a special drink called tepache by fermenting the peels of the pineapple with sugar and water, a popular choice, especially during hot weather.
Salsas are another popular way we incorporate pineapple for sweet and spicy condiments, a perfect topping for many different tacos. And of course, we especially love this tropical fruit in desserts, like this recipe, fruit salads, paletas (Mexican popsicles), and traditional Mexican cakes. So, as you can see, while pineapple may not be native to Mexico, its versatile flavor has been embraced in various Mexican dishes for centuries, and we still enjoy it every day.
How to Make Pineapple Jam
Ingredients:
- Fresh pineapple
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cold water
- Small Mexican cinnamon stick
NOTE:
This particular recipe is to make Pineapple Jam to be used as a filling for desserts like pies and empanadas. That is why it uses cornstarch, otherwise it can be made without it. For example, if you only want to use to spread on a toasted bread.
Instructions:
For better results, please read the instructions and notes before starting your jam.
- First, peel and finely chop your pineapple; you can use your food processor in this step.
- Combine the chopped pineapple, granulated sugar, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan. Simmer for about 20 minutes on medium heat with the lid on. This step will help the pineapple and sugar cook in their own juices and dissolve the sugar.
- In the meantime, mix the cold water and cornstarch and set aside.
- After the pineapple mixture has softened and thickened, add the cornstarch with water to the pot and occasionally stir so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes until the desired thickness. You should be able to see the bottom of the pot when you stir it with a spoon. See notes for more tips.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Enjoy!
-Mely Martínez
Notes and Tips
- Choose a ripe pineapple for better flavor; the outer peel should be golden yellow with a sweet fragrance.
- Depending on your pineapple's natural sweetness and taste, the sugar amount can be adjusted. Taste the mixture to adjust the sweetness according to your taste.
- If you feel your pineapple chunks are still too big, try using a hand immersion blender or a potato masher.
- Canned pineapple can be an option, especially if fresh pineapples are not readily available; just remember to adjust the sugar quantity based on your preference.
- Add other spices, like ginger, cloves, or star anise, if cinnamon is not one of your preferences.
- Using pectin or cornstarch helps with the thickness of the jam texture; however, you can omit this and simply let the jam simmer longer to achieve the desired consistency.
- Adding a few tablespoons of lemon juice or lime juice to enhance can help preserve the jam; try adding it a little bit and taste it as you go, not to overpower the pineapple flavor.
- Because this pineapple jam does not contain a preservative, storing it in your fridge or placing it in sterilized jars and using the canning and preserving method helps it have a longer shelf life.
- Another way to find out if your jam is ready is by placing a small quantity of jam on a chilled plate and allowing it to cool for a minute. Glide your finger through the jam – if it forms wrinkles and holds its form, it is ready. If it remains liquid, it requires additional cooking time.
What to Serve with this Pineapple Jam
Enjoy this homemade pineapple jam with toast, biscuits, scones, or your favorite cookie. Another way to enjoy this tropical jam is with ice cream or a cake. And lastly, enjoy this pineapple jam as a filling for pineapple pie and sweet empanadas next to a warm cup of coffee.
More Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely,
For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. In español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pineapple Jam
Before I share my recipe, here are a few questions you may have.
Is pineapple good for you?
Yes, pineapple is a nutritious fruit that offers a variety of health benefits rich in vitamins like vitamin C, minerals, fiber, and hydration. But, despite its nutritional benefits, it's essential to consume pineapple in moderation, as it also contains large amounts of natural sugars.
Does pineapple jam have a lot of pectine?
Pineapple jam typically has a moderate amount of pectin. But this can vary depending on the ripeness of the fruit and the specific variety used. While pineapples contain some pectin, they are not as high as some other fruits, like apples or citrus fruits.
What are the best ingredients for jam?
The best ingredients for jam are always natural ingredients, like fresh ripe fruit, organic sugar, spices, and some pectin to help jams and jellies set.
Can I substitute the sweetener for this jam?
You can substitute the granulated sugar with other sweeteners. Some examples are brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even a sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia for lower calories. Remember that some sugar substitutes may affect the texture of the jam.
How do you store pineapple jam?
The best way to preserve your jam is by using clean and sterilized jars. You can do this by washing them in hot, soapy water and then placing them in boiling water in batches for about 10 minutes. Allow them to air dry on a clean kitchen towel. While the jam is hot, ladle it into the sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) of headspace at the top.
Then, place sterilized lids on the jars and gently close them without overtightening. If you want to store the jam for an extended period at room temperature, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath for about 15 minutes. After, remove the jars from the hot water and let them cool completely (the lid should “pop” while resting). Your pantry would be the best place for storage as the jam needs a cool and dark place.
Once the jars are opened, store the jam in the refrigerator for a few weeks to ensure optimal quality.
📖 Recipe
Pineapple Jam
Ingredients
- 5 cups Fresh chunks of pineapple about one medium pineapple
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 inch Mexican cinnamon stick
- 3 tablespoon Cold water
- 4 tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
- First, peel and finely chop your pineapple; you can use your food processor in this step.
- Combine the chopped pineapple, granulated sugar, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan and simmer for about 20 minutes on medium heat with the lid on. This step will help the pineapple and sugar cook in their own juices and dissolve the sugar.
- In the meantime, mix the cold water and cornstarch and set aside.
- After the pineapple mixture has softened and thickened, add the cornstarch with water to the pot and occasionally stir so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes until the desired thickness. You should be able to see the bottom of the pot when you stir it with a spoon. See notes for more tips.
- Remove from heat and let it cool.
Notes
- Choose a ripe pineapple for better flavor; the outer peel should be golden yellow with a sweet fragrance.
- Depending on your pineapple's natural sweetness and taste, the sugar amount can be adjusted. Taste the mixture to adjust the sweetness according to your taste.
- After boiling your pineapple and sugar for 20 minutes, and you feel your pineapple chunks are still too big, try using a hand immersion blender or a potato masher if you have one.
- Canned pineapple can be an option, especially if fresh pineapples are not readily available; just remember to adjust the sugar quantity based on your preference and the sweetness of the canned pineapple.
- Add other spices, like ginger, cloves, or star anise, if cinnamon is not one of your preferences.
- Using pectin or cornstarch helps with the thickness of the jam texture; however, you can omit this and simply let the jam simmer longer to achieve the desired consistency.
- Adding a few tablespoons of lemon juice or lime juice to enhance can help preserve the jam; try adding it a little bit and taste it as you go, not to overpower the pineapple flavor.
- Because this pineapple jam does not contain a preservative, storing it in your fridge or placing it in sterilized jars and using the canning and preserving method helps it have a longer shelf life.
- Another way to find out if your jam is ready is by placing a small quantity of jam on a chilled plate and allowing it to cool for a minute. Glide your finger through the jam – if it forms wrinkles and holds its form, it is ready. If it remains liquid, it requires additional cooking time.
Rebeca Garcia
I was very happy with this recipe and will definitely be making it again in the future. I miss buying pineapple jam in the groceries stores like in Mexico.