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Prep time
15 minutes
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Cook time
50 minutes
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makes
2 cups
Author Notes
I grew up with pickled beets in the fridge at all times. They were a staple in our household. I know beets can taste like dirt and be annoying to work with, but they’re worth it. Beets are high in natural sugars—higher than most vegetables—which gives them a characteristic sweetness hiding under those earthy notes. This gives beets versatility: They work in savory recipes, as well as sweet ones—like this beet jam. It’s sweet, earthy, slightly tart, and can be used in endless ways: cheese sandwiches, peanut butter toast, meat marinades, even ice cream. For the zest and juice, I especially like blood oranges here, but any kind works. —Carolina Gelen
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Beet Jam
Ingredients
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6
small (350 to 400 grams) beets, preferably organic
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1 cup
(198 grams) granulated sugar
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2 tablespoons
finely grated orange zest (from 1 to 2 oranges)
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1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
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1/2 cup
freshly squeezed orange juice
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1/4 cup
freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more as needed
Directions
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Peel the beets, then finely chop or coarsely grate them.
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Add the beets, sugar, orange zest, and salt to a 3- to 4-quart pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the beets start to release their juices.
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Add the orange juice and 1 cup of water and bring everything to a boil. Lower the heat to medium to medium-low. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beets are softened and fork tender.
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Pour in the lemon juice and simmer for another 8 to 10 minutes, until a majority of the liquid has evaporated and you are left with a smoothie-like consistency.
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Using a countertop blender, immersion blender, or food processor, carefully blend the mixture until smooth. (If you’re using a countertop blender, just remove the plug from the lid so steam can escape, and cover with a kitchen towel and firm grip.)
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Return the mixture to the pot and continue cooking for 5 to 10 more minutes, until the jam reaches your desired consistency. Taste and add more lemon if you’d like. In an airtight container, this will keep in the fridge for a couple weeks.
Carolina is a resident at Food52. She's also one of the hosts of Choose Your Own Recipe Adventure, our YouTube show where our Food52 readers pick the ingredients and techniques for a brand new recipe. Carolina recently immigrated to the U.S. from Transylvania, a place she spent most of her life. She continues to get inspired by the classic Romanian and Hungarian foods she was raised on, creating approachable, colorful, and fun recipes. For more cooking ideas and candid moments, check out her Instagram @carolinagelen.
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