The weekend is here, and there’s nothing better than gathering with your family to enjoy some homemade snacks made with love. If you’re wondering what treat to prepare that’s both delicious and easy to make, sweet and sour tamarind jam is the perfect choice. Its tangy flavor, gentle sweetness, and a hint of spiciness create an irresistible combination that delights every taste bud. Today, let’s join Khô bò CALI in the kitchen to discover two super-easy and tasty ways to make sweet and sour tamarind jam, one bite, and you’ll be hooked!
Spicy Tamarind Jam
Ingredients (for about 600g of spicy tamarind jam):
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1 kg fresh tamarind
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30 g salt
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5 g ground chili (adjust to your taste)
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500 g sugar
Tools you’ll need:
A large pan, a mixing bowl, a knife, a spoon or chopsticks, a plate, plastic wrap, and an airtight food container for storage.
This version of tamarind jam is perfect for those who love a little heat in their snacks. The natural tanginess of tamarind blends beautifully with sugar and chili, creating a spicy-sweet treat that’s hard to resist. Prepare your tools and ingredients, and let’s start making this deliciously addictive spicy tamarind jam!
How to Make Spicy Tamarind Jam
Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Tamarind
Start by washing 1 kg of fresh tamarind thoroughly, then drain well. Place the tamarind in a zip-lock bag or an airtight food container and freeze it overnight.
Once frozen, remove the tamarind and let it thaw for about 2 hours. Carefully peel off the outer shells using a knife. Prepare a large bowl with 1 liter of water and 1 tablespoon of salt, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Soak the peeled tamarind in this brine for about 1 hour to reduce the sourness.
Next, make a small slit along the side of each tamarind pod and remove all the seeds. Return the seedless tamarind to the saltwater. After that, rinse the tamarind with clean water 4–5 times until the taste is less salty and sour, then drain it completely.
Step 2: Marinate the Tamarind
Place the prepared tamarind in a large mixing bowl. Add 500 g of sugar and mix gently until evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the tamarind marinate for about 6 hours. This allows the sugar to dissolve and soak into each piece, giving the tamarind its signature chewy sweetness.
Step 3: Cook the Jam
After marinating, transfer the tamarind syrup (the melted sugar from marinating) to a pan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the syrup thickens slightly and turns a light golden brown.
Now, add the marinated tamarind into the pan and stir continuously for about 10 minutes, allowing the tamarind to absorb the sweet syrup completely. Next, add 1 teaspoon of ground chili and 1 teaspoon of salt, then stir well for another 5 minutes until evenly combined. Turn off the heat.
Step 4: Dry and Finish
Remove the tamarind pieces and arrange them neatly on a rack placed over a tray. Sun-dry for about 3–4 hours until the tamarind becomes drier and chewier. Once done, bring them inside and arrange beautifully on a plate, ready to enjoy!
Final Result
Your spicy tamarind jam is now ready to serve! Each piece is soft, glossy, and bursting with balanced flavors, a perfect harmony of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. This delightful homemade treat will surely become a family favorite and a must-have snack for every weekend gathering!
Soft and Chewy Tamarind Jam
Ingredients (makes about 300g of chewy tamarind jam):
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500 g fresh tamarind
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400 g sugar
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2 tablespoons rock salt
Tools you’ll need:
A large pan, a mixing bowl, a knife, chopsticks or a spoon, plastic wrap, and a few clean bowls for soaking and mixing.
This version of tamarind jam has a softer, chewier texture and a milder flavor compared to the spicy one. The gentle balance of sweetness and tanginess makes it perfect for those who prefer a more subtle taste. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a batch of homemade tamarind jam that’s glossy, dẻo (elastic and sticky), and simply irresistible.
Get your tools ready, roll up your sleeves, and let’s move on to the step-by-step guide to making this deliciously chewy tamarind jam at home!
How to Make Soft and Chewy Tamarind Jam
Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Tamarind
Start by rinsing 500 g of fresh tamarind thoroughly in a bowl of clean water to remove any dirt or residue. Place the tamarind in a zip-lock or plastic bag, then freeze it overnight.
When ready to use, take the tamarind out and let it thaw for about 1 hour. In another bowl, prepare 1 liter of water mixed with 2 tablespoons of rock salt. Carefully peel off the tamarind shells, making sure not to break the flesh, and soak the peeled tamarind in the saltwater overnight.
The next day, replace the water with fresh cold water and rinse the tamarind lightly. Using the tip of a knife, make a small slit along the side of each pod and gently remove all the seeds. Then soak the seedless tamarind in cold water for another 1 hour, changing the water every 15 minutes to reduce the saltiness and acidity.
Step 2: Marinate the Tamarind
Drain the tamarind well and transfer it to a clean mixing bowl. Add 400 g of white sugar and mix thoroughly so that each piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the tamarind marinate for 6 hours. During this time, the sugar will dissolve, forming a sweet syrup that gives the tamarind its signature chewy texture.
Step 3: Cook the Jam
Place the marinated tamarind and the syrup into a large pan. Cook over high heat until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Stir continuously to prevent burning and ensure the tamarind absorbs the syrup evenly.
Once the mixture turns slightly sticky and the tamarind takes on a beautiful light brown color, turn off the heat.
Arrange the cooked tamarind pieces on a drying rack placed over a tray, then dry them in an oven at 50°C (122°F) for about 1 hour, or until the tamarind becomes slightly firm and glossy.
Final Result
Your soft and chewy tamarind jam is now ready to enjoy! Each piece is fragrant, translucent, and irresistibly chewy, perfectly balancing sweet and tangy flavors in every bite. It’s a delightful homemade treat that will keep everyone reaching for more!
With just two simple methods, you can easily make delicious jars of sweet and sour tamarind jam right at home, soft, fragrant, and delightfully spicy. Gather your family and enjoy the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and mildly hot flavors during your cozy weekend get-togethers. Khô bò CALI wishes you great success, and don’t forget to share this tasty homemade treat with your loved ones to spread the sweet joy of togetherness!
