Physalis jam: 5 cooking recipes

Physalis jam may seem exotic because of its main ingredient - the fruit of the physalis plant, which resembles cherry tomatoes. Its distribution and fame came to Russia only in the postwar period, but so far many people do not know what kind of plant it is. It is impossible to find physalis products in every store, and jam made of it is something out of the realm of fantasy. The fruit is used more as a decorative element in cooking (especially as a decoration for a cake).

Nevertheless, there is a jam of physalis, and it is very easy to make it at home. Its popularity is slowly beginning to gain momentum, and not without the help of the current fashion for a healthy diet - you can not deny the benefits and usefulness of the fruit and all dishes made from it.

The bright color of the jam will appeal to many - it resembles sunny amber or honey. Its taste may seem unusual - sweet with a spicy sourness instead of sugary sweet. Physalis jam due to its unobtrusive sweetness can become a simple dessert, not necessarily eaten with something neutral - a waffle or a cookie.

Composition and calories

This simple jam consists of only 3 ingredients. These are the fruit of the physalis itself, sugar and water. If desired, some housewives add spices and aromatic herbs (for example, cinnamon, coriander, cloves or mint). Also, an addition in the form of other fruits and berries, and sometimes even vegetables, will not spoil the taste.

For jam, two types of physalis are used - vegetable and berry. From the vegetable dessert turns out with a spicy bitterness, it will be appreciated by real gourmets. This can be corrected by different additives or, for example, citrus (orange and tangerine). The small fruits of the berry filalis, give the jam a sweet taste (sometimes sour-sweet, it all depends on the variety used). It is more familiar, tasting like strawberry and pineapple dessert.

The jam is not rich in proteins and fats - they simply have nowhere to go. The main ingredient, the physalis fruit, is low in calories. It only has 53 kcal per 100 grams, and it mainly comes from carbohydrates only. The ratio of FWS is 1:1:28. But, of course, it is worth remembering that the caloric value of jam directly depends on the amount of added sugar. Therefore, the sweeter such a product, the more kcal it contains. Ready-made jam will contain 283 kcal, and a whole jar of 500 ml can cover half the daily requirement.

What is useful for the filalis jam

Physalis jam has medicinal virtues no worse than the well-known raspberry jam. It can help with colds, coughs, sore throats, and even abscesses. All thanks to its rich nutritional value - vitamins A, C and B group, phosphorus, calcium and other useful macro- and microelements.

Physalis jam contains useful organic acids (ascorbic, succinic and others), antioxidants, phenolics and glucose. Pectins help in building bone tissue.

It is an excellent diuretic and helps not only to reduce the risk of urinary stones, but also to get rid of existing stones.

Systematic use of products of physalis will supply the body with the necessary substances for it to normalize its work and protect it from harmful factors.

1. Anticold remedy. The main effect is due to vitamin C - its content in physalis twice as much as lemon, and can only be compared with the fruit of rose hips. Ascorbic acid contained in jam, favorably affects the body, strengthening the immune system and having a neutralizing effect on the cold virus. In China, for example, they have long used physalis itself and its products as a remedy for the flu.
2. Eye health. Physalis jam is as rich in vitamin A as carrots and blueberries, and carotenoids support eye health. Regular consumption of this product helps to increase the range of vision and improve its contrast.
3. Anti-inflammatory effect. As we know, some inflammation in the body can cause serious diseases. Antioxidants that can be found in physalis products can help fight inflammation in the body and improve overall health. Their effects extend from common muscle aches to inflammation in the blood vessels and heart disease. Therefore, physalis jam is very useful for people suffering from hypertension.
4. Strengthening the nervous system. B vitamins have been proven to have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, helping the body to protect nerve cells from irritants. And a healthy nervous system is a healthy body as a whole, since most of the body's functions are carried out through it.
5. Carbohydrate richness. A high carbohydrate content allows you to get full faster, and you don't have to eat a lot to do so. Therefore, physalis jam (especially with a minimum sugar content) is an excellent product for a proper and healthy diet, the use of which does not entail harm to the figure and weight.
6. Fighting cancer cells. Antioxidants can fight cancer. Physalis products also contain unique nutrients that slow down the growth of cancer cells. That's why dishes made of this fruit are recommended for both prevention and recovery from chemotherapy.
7. Care for future mothers. The most important micronutrient for preserving pregnancy is iron, which is rich in physalis jam. The normal daily requirement of iron for pregnant women is about 27 mg. The need for it increases because of the possible occurrence of anemia in expectant mothers - during pregnancy it is often not enough due to the development of the fetus. Therefore, it is important to help the body with the additional consumption of products rich in this trace element. Physalis jam is one such helper. A few tablespoons can cover half of the daily need for iron.
8. A remedy for diabetes mellitus. Physalis jam contains no cholesterol, and the carbohydrates it contains have almost no effect on blood glucose levels. Therefore, such a sweet dessert will not harm the health of people with diabetes.
9. Reducing the risk of degenerative diseases. Degenerative diseases include atherosclerosis, arthritis, sclerosis and other ailments associated with negative changes in cells under the influence of free radicals in the body. Minimizing the risk of disease contributes to vitamin A, a natural remedy that is not destroyed even when boiled.
10. Preserving youthfulness. The previously mentioned radicals accelerate the aging process of the skin. Here again, antioxidants come into the fight. They are aided by copper, which makes the skin firmer and improves its structure. In addition, copper in the composition of jam will help to get rid of age spots and prevent premature aging of the skin.
11. Improved digestion. Jam, made from vegetable physalis, is a treasure trove of fiber. It has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, improves the digestive process and gets rid of bloating and flatulence.

Contraindications to consumption

The main contraindication to the consumption of jam from physalis is an individual intolerance to the fruit. It is recommended to eat only two teaspoons to begin with, in order to avoid unpleasant situations and not to harm your body. If no side effects appear, you can not be afraid to use jam already in large quantities.

In addition to possible allergic reactions, it is not recommended to use jam in large quantities to people who suffer from heartburn, gastritis or peptic ulcer. The high acidity of the product will only aggravate the situation with the gastrointestinal tract. So remember that even good things should be in moderation.

How to choose a physalis for jam

It is worth paying more attention to what kind of physalis to use for making jam. Only edible species are used for this - vegetable and berry (or strawberry). Like other members of the genus Solanaceae, unripe fruits of physalis can cause allergic reactions, and sometimes they are even poisonous.

Do not use green fruits for making jam, as they still contain solanine. The berries should be bright yellow or orange in color, and the shell surrounding them in the form of a Chinese lantern - dry and burst (these are the factors that will reliably indicate that the physalis is ready for picking). Another distinctive feature is the taste - inedible physalis fruits are very bitter.

Before you start to cook the fruits, they should be well treated with boiling water. Such an operation will rid their surface of the sticky film left by the outer shell. In itself, it is not dangerous, but very much harms the taste of the finished product - it will be unpleasant because of the bitterness.

Consequently, jam from ripened physalis will have an amber hue and a sweet-sour taste. It is these signs that will help determine that the product will only benefit the body.

How to make jam from physalis: recipes

Physalis jam without cooking

This method of cooking preserves more useful properties in the finished dish due to the lack of heat treatment.

For jam you will need:

• fruits of physalis - 1 kg;
• sugar - 0,5 kg.

Preparation:

1. Physalis fruits need preliminary preparation - it is necessary to wash them thoroughly in hot water. This is necessary to remove the sticky substance from the surface of the fruit.
2. After washing, shred physalis to small pieces and put in a saucepan (or any other deep container).
3. To the shredded figs add sugar. After thoroughly stirring, leave the future jam for a few hours at room temperature until the sugar has completely dissolved.
4. Such jam can be rolled in jars or simply stored in the refrigerator.

Note: If desired, you can add various spices to the jam - cinnamon, citrus zest or cloves.

Physalis jam with cinnamon

To make it you will need the following ingredients:

• figs - 1 kg;
• sugar - 0,5 kg;
• drinking water - 500 ml;
• citric acid - 1 gr;
• Ground cinnamon - 1 tsp. (you can take 1 stick instead of ground cinnamon).

Preparation of jam:

1. To remove the sticky film from the surface of figs, you need to rinse the berries with hot water and keep them in boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. After the required time, drain the water and cut the fruit into 4 parts - so they will soften faster. If you want jam with large berries, you don't need to cut them. Just pierce them with a toothpick, so that the syrup gets into them during the boiling process.
3. Before you start boiling, you need to prepare the syrup - mix water, sugar, citric acid and cinnamon in a saucepan and boil it for 10 minutes.
4. Add the figs to the syrup and cook over a low heat for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Then turn off the heat, cover the jam with a lid and cool to room temperature.
5. Boil the mixture again after cooling for about 30 minutes and roll it in jars while it is hot.
6. Jars after twisting put in a shady place with the bottom up.

Note: If a cinnamon stick was used in the preparation, after the end of the first cooking it must be removed.

If you leave the jam to cool overnight, it will infuse better.

Physalis jam with apple and pear

Ingredients for the jam:

• Physalis berries - 1 kg;
• pear - 1 kg
• apples - 1 kg;
• granulated sugar - 0,5 kg
• water - 500 ml;
• citric acid - 1 g;
• ground cinnamon - 1 tsp. (you can take 1 stick instead of ground cinnamon).

Remember to rinse the berries before using them under hot water until any gluey residue has been washed from the surface of the physalis.

Preparation:

1. Prepare the syrup before cooking - mix water, sugar, citric acid and cinnamon in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Peel apples and pears and cut into small pieces, make punctures in the physalis with a toothpick.
3. Add the physalis and fruit to the syrup and cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Then take the jam off the heat and leave it to cool.
4. When the jam has cooled to room temperature, boil it again for 20 minutes and distribute it hot in jars.
5. Covered jars to cool in an upside down dark place. Some housewives cover the containers with a towel - there is an opinion that so the jam is even better sterilized.

Healing jam from physalis with citrus and ginger

Such jam is a real strike against viruses with vitamin C. It will be useful to any housewife, if the household is sick, and bitter medicine do not want to drink.

For the jam you need:

• Physalis (berry variety) - 1 kg;
• sugar - 1 kg;
• water - 250 ml;
• lemon - 1 pc;
• orange - 1 pc;
• ginger - 30 gr (root).

Preparation:

1. Physalis thoroughly rinse from the waxy film on the surface, then keep the fruit in boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. After the required time, drain the water and pierce the fruit with a toothpick.
3. Cut the ginger into small slices. Peel the citrus fruits and grind them together with the ginger to a purée.
4. Mix fisalis with water in a saucepan and cook until boiling. Once the water begins to boil, simmer for 5-10 minutes and add the ginger-citrus mixture. Boil for another 10 minutes, then turn off the heat, cover the jam with a lid and cool.
5. You need to boil it again after cooling - the jam should be boiled for 10 minutes for 2 more times, then it can be rolled up in jars while it is hot.
6. After twisting, invert the jars and put them in a dark place to cool.

Physalis jam with zucchini

In this recipe, it is better to use vegetable physalis. The jam turns out very tasty and appetizing. It is very difficult to understand what ingredients are included.

To make it, you will need the following ingredients:

• Physalis - 0.5 kg;
• sugar - 2,5 kilograms;
• water - 250 ml;
• zucchini - 1 kg;
• lemon - 1 pc. (or citric acid - 1 g).

Preparation:

1. Physalis after rinsing, grind to a purée together with zucchini.
2. Add sugar and mix thoroughly.
3. Leave the mixture at room temperature for several hours, so that the jam can infuse better.
4. When the time has passed, put the jam on the fire, and cook it with constant stirring for 30 minutes. Add the lemon juice (or citric acid) and simmer for another 5 minutes.
5. After the finished jam can be transferred to jars for twisting.
6. Turn the jars with hot jam with the lid down and cool at room temperature.

Rules for storing jam

"Proper" jam from physalis can stand in the cabinet for a long time and be stored for several seasons with other twists, if you follow some conditions in its preparation:

1. It is necessary to strictly follow all points of the recipe and do not reduce the boiling time, even if it seems that the jam has already reached the necessary consistency. Remember that the temperature reached by this heat treatment (72°C) has a negative effect on unfavorable microflora - it simply dies under such conditions.
2. Jars and lids for twists need to be sterilized. The process of sterilization is no different from boiling - you just need to put the jars and lids in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. This time is quite enough to sterilize the containers.
3. Unopened jars of jam should be stored in a place protected from sunlight and with low humidity (up to 80%). The room temperature should not drop below 0°C and should not rise above 25°C. Such conditions will not only preserve the jam itself, but also all the useful substances it contains.

Opened jars should be kept in a refrigerator and keep it there no more than a week, because jam is an excellent medium for the development of various bacteria that can cause dangerous diseases (such as tetanus).

Interesting facts about figs

1. Physalis fruits can be used instead of tomatoes. They are perfect for a salad. Since they are very similar, many people will not notice the difference right away.
2. The berry variety of physalis is used as a flavoring. The fruit is dried and added to foods instead of seasoning. The sweet flavor with an aftertaste of bitterness may seem interesting, and a long-known dish will become new thanks to the addition.
3. A water tincture of figs will help to relieve swellings and bruises - just make a compress.
4. Physalis can be added to canned pickles, tomatoes and cabbage.
5. In China, they make a delicious sauce from filesalis, which is served together with seafood.
6. There is a type of physalis used specifically for jams because of its high pectin content. It is called the jam variety.
7. The name "physalis" comes from the Greek word "physo", that is bloated. It received this name because of the peculiarities of growth of the fruit and its shell.
8. There is a belief that ornamental physalis as a herbarium will drive away evil spirits and bring happiness and prosperity to the house.
9. Physalis was imported to Russia along with potatoes and tomatoes from South America, but the plant never gained popularity (unlike its two competitors).