(aka Paw Paw Jam)
© Denzil Green
Papaya Jam is jam based on papaya fruit.
It can be different colours — red, yellow, etc, depending on the variety of papaya used.
Recipes vary wildly; most will produce a runny jam. To counter that, some recipes use an added thickener such as pectin or agar-agar.
Many recipes combine the taste of papaya with other tastes, such as orange, pineapple, ginger, etc. You will even see it spiced with red chile flakes and garam masala.
Half-ripe papaya are best if your jam recipe calls for no thickener.
Cooking Tips
5 cups mashed ripe papaya
4 tablespoons orange juice
50g / 1.75 oz dry pectin
5 cups / 40 oz / 1.1kg white sugar
In a large, heavy saucepan mix together the papaya, pectin and orange juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Add the sugar, and keep on stirring constantly. When it comes back to a boil after adding the sugar, cook for exactly 1 more minute. Then spoon into sterilized preserve jars, and seal. Let cool and store after verifying the seals.