Apple jam with an overdose of clove

Under 'normal' circumstances, we would take the Labor day weekend to wrap-up summer and prepare for autumn. However, we are now in '(much) warmer circumstances' and we can expect summers to be longer or Fall (autumn) to be (much) warmer, at least in most parts of the country One way of adjusting to this 'warmer (ab) normal' might be with this apple jam overdosed with clove, that my sister (visiting Boulder) has made me over this weekend. She got apples (sweet and just a bit tart) from the farmer's market and made the whole apartment smell of cloves, apples and maybe, maybe.. just a hint of summer but still...still of autumn. 

Apple jam, with an overdose of clove

(Made by Urmi Bhattacharya)

Makes 34 ounces (fits into two mason jars, each 17 oz)

Time: Prep: 20 minutes. Cook: 2 hours

Ingredients

2 lb of apples (select sweet ones and not tart ones)

3 limes

6 cups of sugar (brown is ideal, but you can also use white or a mixture)

1 heaping tbsp of clove powder

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the applies in cubes. Discard pith and core.

Step 2: In a soup pot (or dutch oven), add the cut apples with 6-7 cups of water in a soup (6 cups for sweeter apples and 7 cups for tarter apples. Use your judgement)

Step 3: Heat on medium high for 30-40 minutes, stirring and slowly mushing the apples as you go along.

Step 4: Strain apple liquid. Discard the apples (I suggest saving the apples and adding to deserts, applesauce etc. But if you are not an apple using person, feel free to discard).

Step 5: Add 6 tsp of lime juice. Freshly squeezed. No seeds. Add the sugar. 

Step 6: Set the soup pot/dutch oven back on the stove. Turn the head to medium-high.

Step 7: Cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 minutes (yes, this will take time). 

Step 8: Add the clove powder and stir for another 20-30 min on low-medium, till the liquid has thickened and there are no more bubbles.
Step 9: Let stand for 10 minutes. Then, pour into cleaned mason jars.

Step 10: Cool. For half-a-day. Refrigerate.

You are now ready for autumn, even if a warmer one.