Fall is all about the pumpkin spice, whether it’s a pumpkin spiced latte or the warm scent of a pumpkin spiced candle! What is your pumpkin jam?

Ours is quite literally a pumpkin jam by David Lebovitz. Pumpkin makes a curiously delicious jam, vibrantly colored and flavored with a plump vanilla bean. Putting a jar of this on your fall breakfast table is sure to brighten up the season for you!

Pumpkin Jam by David Lebovitz

Make sure you use a roasting or sugar pumpkin for this jam. Other types of pumpkins, such as those meant for carving, have a higher water content and will not cook up the same. (Steaming the pumpkin is an idea inspired by the Soframiz cookbook.) This recipe makes one large jar, or two smaller ones. You can scale up the recipe to make more if you wish.

You don’t need a thermometer to make this jam; you can tell visually when it’s done. And since it makes a small batch, you’ll likely eat it quickly. But it will keep for at least a month or so in the refrigerator. If you do use a thermometer, jams often jell at around 220ºF (104ºC) however this one was ready when the thermometer reached 200ºF (93ºC). Still, for this jam, it’s easy to see when it’s ready as it’ll visibly thicken, so a thermometer isn’t necessary.

2 pounds (900g) baking pumpkin, split, seeds removed, and cut into 5-inch (12cm) pieces

1 1/3 cups (265g) sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

pinch of salt

1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Instructions:

1. Place the pumpkin pieces in a steamer basket in a pot. Add water to the pot so it reaches to the bottom of the steamer basket and steam the pumpkin pieces until completely cooked through; a paring knife will pierce the flesh easily and it will take about 30 minutes. During the steaming, add more water to the pot if necessary.

2. When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scrape the flesh from the skin and puree it in a food processor or immersion blender, or pass it through a food mill or potato ricer. You should have about 2 cups (535g) of puree.

3. Put the puree in a heavy-duty saucepan along with the sugar, orange and lemon juice, and salt. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean with a small knife and add them to the pot, along with the bean.

4. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking the pumpkin mixture, stirring constantly to prevent the puree from burning. Because the puree is thick, it’ll tend to splatter. You may wish to wear an oven mitt while stirring.

5. When the jam mixture visibly thickens and it holds its shape in a jelly-like mound when you heap it up onto itself, it’s done. It will take about ten minutes. Scrape the mixture into a clean jar. The jam is best served at room temperature. It can be refrigerated for at least one month.

We hope you’ll let us know how your jam turns out!!

Recently, I was also recommended to source a pumpkin seed oil for our shop. Does anyone have any recommendations? It is perfect to serve as a basic salad dressing – no vinegar needed for superb flavor.