Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts

This new aronia recipe together with the aronia oatmeal cake were made from what I managed to pick from my garden this year. I'd say it's another brilliant use of chokeberries, the apples and the walnuts added to the jam will only enhance the flavour and texture. Aronia berries are not so flavourful nor tasty, so they need something to bring out their taste without hiding it completely. With this jam recipe, I think I managed to obtain something really special and interesting.  

I love the jelly-like texture of the aronia jam and, even though it's not very thick, it stays firm and it's not runny when served. The walnuts bring a slight crispiness and a fine aroma which matches so well with the rest of the ingredients. I won't say anything about the apples, you know how wonderful they are in any combination, here as well.

Ingredients
Aronia berries
1 kg
Apples
1 kg
whole apples, with peels and cores
Walnuts
200 g
Lemon
2 pieces
Sugar
1500 g
Water
500 ml
Step by step
Step 1

Sort the chokeberries and wash under running water using a colander.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 1
Step 2

Place the berries in a heavy-bottomed pot or a big Dutch oven, add 1500g sugar and 500ml water.

Set over heat, mix to combine.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 2
Step 3

When it comes to the boil, turn heat to low and let simmer for 20-30 minutes, stir occasionally.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 3
Step 4

After 20-30 minutes, pour in the juice from 2 lemons, mix and let simmer for another 10 minutes.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 4
Step 5

Meanwhile, wash, core and peel the apples, then cut into small cubes.

If you have many wormy apples, use a bit more than 1 kilo, even 1.5 kilos of whole apples.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 5
Step 6

Now mix the diced apples into the jam.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 6
Step 7

Stir to combine and boil for about another 30-40 minutes.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 7
Step 8

The boiling time may vary somewhat, you can look at the texture/colour of the apples - see the picture, they become darker in colour and slightly candied.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 8
Step 9

Add the walnuts cut into chunks with a knife.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 9
Step 10

Boil for 20 more minutes, notice what they look like now.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 10
Step 11

And notice what they look like after boiling - even the walnuts will change their colour and turn to purple.

Now the jam is ready and you can ladle it into jars, cleaned and dried in advance.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 11
Step 12

So, pour the jam into jars and seal.

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 12
Step 13

Set on the table and let cool completely. It might be a bit runny at first, but after it cools down, it becomes jelly-like and denser in texture.

It's so delicious and it can be spread on bread, on biscuits, combined with yogurt, with porrigde etc.

Enjoy!

Aronia and Apple Jam with Walnuts - Step 13
Quantity: 3500 g ()
Prep time:
150 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 60 min