One of life’s little delights is freshly preserved blackberry tomatillo jam. There’s nothing quite like it. Probably because once you have preserved your own fruit, you understand the love that goes into jam making. It’s a process that isn’t all too tedious, but just tedious enough to be something that becomes an appreciation. An art.
Every time I break out my jam making supplies, I know I am in for an afternoon of contentedness. Watching the fruit bubble into jam is a form of therapy for me.
This recipe is a fabulous one because it’s not quite as sweet as your typical jam. The tomatillos cut into the sugar in all the right ways, leaving you with savory preserves that are almost fig-like. This jam was made for cheese pairing, bread pairing, and drink pairing. Consider it your new best friend for every gathering you’ve got planned this summer! Blackberry Tomatillo Margaritas are a great beverage for gatherings, too!
PS: I love giving preserves as gifts with a tea towel and some recipe cards!
The Recipe
Blackberry Tomatillo Preserves
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe tomatillos
- 2 small 6 oz. packages blackberries
- 2.5 cups sugar
- Juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Blackberries have enough pectin in them to gel without adding any extra pectin to the recipe. With that said, if you’d like to keep these preserves less ‘jelly-ish’, don’t allow the mixture to come to a rolling boil.
- Place a spoon in the freezer. Peel and chop the tomatillos. Combine blackberries & tomatillos in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth (should be about 2.5 cups of fruit).
- Mix 2.5 cups sugar (equal parts sugar:fruit), and the pureed fruit in a saucepan. Add the lemon juice, and stir the mixture; allow it to come to a full rolling boil for one minute, then decrease the heat and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove the spoon from the freezer, and dip into the preserves. Hold at least 12 inches above the saucepan and turn the spoon to pour the preserves back into the pan. If the preserves sheet together, and hang off the side of the spoon, the jelly is ready. See this trick in more detail here.
- Skim any foam off the top, and pour the preserves into 2-3 8 oz. jelly jars. Since this recipe has not been scientifically tested, I suggest keeping it refrigerated for up to three weeks.
Your photography is breathtaking. And I am a bit obsessed with preserves. So consider this bookmarked. (And stumbled)
Wow Anna thank you so much! It’s something I enjoy doing :) Preserving is also so much fun, thank you!
These look so good! I’ve never tried this combination but I’d love too. You have a beautiful blog.
Thanks Wendy! Thanks for being here! It is really great!
This looks gorgeous and absolutely delicious.
Thanks so much! It is YUM!!
Oh I love even just the thought of this jam! I want to make some…NOW
It’s delicious! I made some strawberry sage today, can’t wait to share!
I get so giddy when preserve making season comes around! This looks so delicious and I would have never thought of this! Thanks for sharing!
It is so good – I’ve been off crackers and toast, so have been adding it into cocktails instead ;)
I’ve always wanted to give jam making a try! This sounds delish!
It’s so easy! You’ll never go back to store bought ;)
yummy! This sounds really tasty!
It’s fantastic!!!
Making my own preserves is something I want to try this year. I love that you added tomatillo!
It’s very easy, you’ll enjoy it so much!
Just tried this recipe with fresh picked blackberries and tomatillos from the garden… it’s lovely. Thanks!
Oh delicious! I am living through you right now as the grasshoppers have destroyed this year’s garden for me. Enjoy!!!
I suppose this could be a freezer jam, no? But i really wan to can it. I wonder how one goes about ‘testing’? The recipe looks fantastic. I get loads of blackberries and always looking for something new. THANK YOU!!
How much is 2 small packages of blackberries?
What is your answer for How much is two packages???
Hello, they are small-sized clamshells sold at the grocery store. I believe they are typically about 6 oz.