Celery Jam. The looks of this post will not make you dance. If anything, it will probably have you sitting and staring at this screen in disbelief with your head tilted ever so slightly to the right.
I promise you, though, when you try this you will understand. And even if after making it you still don’t understand, you will at least enjoy the tasty confusion.
Celery Jam
- 1 bunch celery, diced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Place a plate in the freezer before beginning this recipe.
Cut the bottom of the celery stalk off and rinse each piece well.
Cut celery into about 4-inch pieces. Using a knife, tug on the outer skin and pull down to strip off the outer strings of celery.
Cut each 4-inch piece into 4-5 strips. Then dice those into very small pieces that are all similar in size.
Place water, lemon juice, celery, sugar, and salt into the pot. Stir well.
Bring to a boil then reduce to a slight boil and allow to simmer until preserves are set. To test whether or not they are set, when preserves reach 220°F start testing. To test, remove the plate from the freezer and place a spoonful of preserves onto the plate. Place in fridge for a few minutes. If the top of the preserves wrinkles when touched, they are ready to remove from the heat. By the time it is ready, the celery will have turned a rich, avocado-green color. Do not be alarmed.
When celery preserves are cooled a bit, place them into a canning jar and when they reach room temp place a lid on top & save them in the fridge. Can be served warm or chilled.
Lovely upon mascarpone cheese and crackers or cream cheese on toasty bruschetta. A conversation piece while enjoying hors devours with friends – everyone with their heads tilted ever so slightly to the right in joyous tasty confusion.
Hey Cuz – Can you seal and preserve these while still hot?
Hi! Although I’d imagine you could with all the sugar I don’t know. I wish I could be of help but I really couldn’t say for sure. 🙂
I do alot of canning, I would think it would be like making jam.
Deanna, my friend, you never cease to amaze me and teach me new things. This one takes the cake! Lol. I have to make this — I will NOT be able to help myself. My family will be utterly confused by the celery preserves, but I think that I will probably eat the whole jar myself (I love celery). Can’t wait!
This looks wonderful and we have a surfeit of parsley in the community garden.
I made this last night and it tastes great but it didn’t set. It’s more like a chunky thick syrup. Would adding pectin help make this set better? And if so how much should I use?
Hi Kathryn! I’m sorry for the delayed reply. I just received your message. Yes, I think you could add 1 ½ – 2 teaspoons of pectin to help it thicken or cook it longer. I’m so sorry it didn’t set. I’ll make this again soon to make sure the recipe is correct. ❤️