Apple Jam With Mastic Gum

Autumn is a special time of year in Sapanca. All the apple trees are bursting with apples. Itis so pleasant to watch them, so picturesque. But of course as usual I couldn't help myself from gathering the last of the autumn apples from our trees and turning them into heavenly jams. Here is my recipe;

Ingredients:

• 7-8 medium sized peeled, cored, and grated apples
• 3,5 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• juice and zest of one lemon
• 3 pieces of mastika (mastic gum)
•       OR
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts (if using mastika, mastic gum)

How To:

Peel apples and put them in a bowl filled with cold water. In a large saucepan combine sugar and water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile start grating the apples one at a time and add each to the simmering syrup. When all are grated and added to the saucepan, bring them to a boil.

Continue boiling and stirring uncovered for 15 minutes, add the zest and lemon juice. If using cloves and cinnamon stick, now is the time to add them. (discard only the cinnamon stick while transfering them to jars)

Simmer slowly on low heat until the apples have reduced and are soft. When it seems nice and jammy, turn off the heat and stir in the mastika. Turn on the heat again.

Gently boil the jam until the final setting point is reached. Check this by putting a drop of the jam onto a cold plate and pushing it with your finger; if it wrinkles it is ready. Remove from heat and add the toasted pine nuts if using mastika for aroma. Transfer the jam into sterilised jars and cover immediately.

Enjoy! 

 

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