Rhubarb Jam With Ginger

Rhubarb Jam in a Jar

Lisa Barber / StockFood Creative / Getty Images

Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Canning Time: 10 mins
Total: 24 mins
Servings: 12 servings

Spicy ginger and tangy rhubarb are a classic combination. You can serve this recipe as a jam at breakfast, but it's even better as a dessert topping spooned over vanilla ice cream, or as a filling for tarts. You can also freeze it into a guest-worthy sorbet.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds rhubarb leaf stalks (4 cups chopped)
  • 3/4 cup sugar (up to 1 1/4 cups to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (fresh, grated)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place all the ingredients in a medium-sized pot over low heat, starting with the lesser amount of sugar. Stir constantly until all of the sugar is dissolved.

  3. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the rhubarb pieces fall apart. When the compote is about as thick as applesauce, turn off the heat.

  4. Taste and add additional sugar if you desire more sweetness. Keep in mind, though, that the sour flavor is part of what is special about rhubarb. If you do add additional sugar, return the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.

  5. Fill clean canning jars with the rhubarb compote, leaving half an inch of headspace. Tap the bottom of each jar gently but firmly on the palm of your hand to settle the compote and release any air bubbles. Screw on canning lids.

  6. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

  7. Use as a jam for breakfast, over ice cream, or as a filling in tarts.

Recipe Variations

  • Combine With Strawberries: Strawberry-rhubarb is a classic combination. Simply replace 1/2 of the rhubarb with hulled, chopped strawberries and reduce the amount of sugar.
  • Use Honey Instead of Sugar: Choose a mild, lightly colored honey such as orange blossom or clover. Use 1/3 less honey than the sugar called for in the recipe.
  • Turn the Compote Into Rhubarb Sorbet: Chill the compote in the refrigerator overnight (8 to 12 hours), or as long as 24 hours. Process in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Rhubarb Facts

  • Rhubarb is in the Rheum genus. It is originally from Siberia, so yes, it's cold-hardy! It's fairly easy to grow rhubarb, and although it would prefer full it will tolerate partial sun.

  • The leafstalks are the part we eat. The green parts of the leaves are toxic, which is why you never see rhubarb stalks for sale with the leaves attached.

  • Most commonly treated like a sour "fruit" and sweetened, rhubarb is also used as a vegetable in savory dishes.

  • Green rhubarb leafstalks are also edible and their flavor is identical to the red ones.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
93 Calories
0g Fat
23g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 93
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 1g
Calcium 49mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)