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Rose petal jam
Konfitura z róży: wild rose petals pounded with sugar, the classic pączki filling
Ask a Polish baker what goes inside a proper pączek and the answer is rose jam, not strawberry. In June, families gather the scented pink petals of wild beach roses (Rosa rugosa) from hedges along the Baltic coast and in gardens, then pound them with sugar into a sticky, intensely perfumed paste that keeps for a year. The flavour is floral and sweet with a little sharpness from lemon, lovely in doughnuts, swirled into yoghurt or spread on cheesecake. Pick only from plants that have not been sprayed and away from roads. Where most people go wrong is leaving the bitter white base of the petals on; snip it off. Chef's tip: lemon juice turns dull petals bright magenta, so add it right at the start.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 20
Ingredients
- 9 oz unsprayed wild rose petals (Rosa rugosa)white bases snipped off
- 1 ⅛ lb caster sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Shake the 9 oz unsprayed wild rose petals (Rosa rugosa) gently to remove insects and dust; don't wash them, or they lose their scent. Snip off the white base of each petal.
15 minStep 2: Put the petals in a large bowl or mortar with 3 tbsp lemon juice and a third of the 6 oz caster sugar. Pound or knead with your hands for 5 minutes, until the petals collapse and turn deep pink.
5 minStep 3: Add the rest of the 11 ½ oz caster sugar in two lots, pounding for 10 minutes more, until the mix is a thick, glossy, sticky paste with no dry sugar left.
12 minStep 4: Pack into clean, dry jars, pressing out air pockets, and close. Leave for 2 weeks before using. Keeps in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 100 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 25 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does rose petal jam take?
- About 40 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 20 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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