Sour Cherry Jam (Moraba Albaloo)

This Persian Sour Cherry Jam (Moraba Albaloo) is made without pectin, letting the tart cherries shine. A simple, stovetop recipe that’s perfect for canning or enjoying right away.

Most Persians love all things sour while I tend to lean toward the sweet side. Something as simple as noon-o panir (bread and feta cheese) is eaten differently by us, too.

A typical Persian breakfast is noon-o panir o sabzeh (fresh herbs with feta and lavash). I prefer my bread and feta with a dollop of jam. In fact, I will take a jar of homemade jam over any dessert, any day of the week.

I am not shy when it comes to my love for jams. I absolutely adore homemade jams. I was raised on jams: quince jam, blueberry jam, fig jam, orange marmalade, strawberry jam. My grandmother made jams, my aunts make jams and now I make jams.

Ingredients you need

• Sour cherries: I have made this jam using both fresh and frozen sour cherries.
• Sugar: I use granulated sugar in the jam, but you can use any sweetener to make jam. If you are using frozen cherries, use the juice from the thawed fruit and omit the extra water.

Step-by-step directions

1. Prep the cherries. Remove seeds and stems from sour cherries and place them in a pot with sugar and water, if using.
2. Simmer. Over medium heat, stir mixture until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil slowly, stirring often to prevent sticking. Reduce temperature to medium-low if cherry mixture is about to boil out of your pot. Cook until thickened, approximately 30 minutes.
3. Chill. If you are going to store in the refrigerator, cool until room temperature first then refrigerate. Or, if you are canning your jam, click here for hot water canning instructions.

Recipe tips and FAQs

This is a sweet and sour jam that sends me back in time, back to my old kitchen in Iran where I enjoyed my breakfast rolling up pieces of lavash filled with feta and this wonderful jam.

You can also enjoy this sour cherry jam straight up and right out of the jar. Or if you prefer, swirl a bit in your yogurt or oatmeal for a wonderful breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.

For cocktail lovers, stir in a small spoonful in a glass of bourbon or whiskey.

And if you want another recipe using sour cherries, try my Albaloo Polo (sour cherry rice).

Sour Cherry Jam (Moraba Albaloo)

Laura Bashar | Family Spice

This Persian Sour Cherry Jam (Moraba Albaloo) is made without pectin, letting the tart cherries shine. A simple, stovetop recipe that's perfect for canning or enjoying right away.

4.59 from 12 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Additional Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Persian

Servings 16

Calories 38 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb sour cherries
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup granulated sugar

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Instructions

 

• Remove seeds and stems from sour cherries.
• In a small pot add pitted cherries with water and sugar.
• Over medium heat, stir mixture until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil slowly, stirring often to prevent sticking.
• Reduce temperature to medium-low if cherry mixture is about to boil out of your pot. Cook until thickened, approximately 30 minutes.
• If you are going to store in the refrigerator, cool until room temperature first then refrigerate. Or, if you are canning your jam, click here for canning instructions.

Notes

CANNED JAMS: Jams that have been canned using hot water canning, can last in a cool dark pantry for up to a year. As long as the seal is intact and mold is not present, the jam is safe to eat past a year.

REFRIGERATED JAMS: You can also store jam in the refrigerator. The USDA says that it will last for 10 days, but I have found that it lasts longer than that. Use your best judgement.

FREEZER JAMS: There are freezer safe jam containers that can be used to store your jam in the freezer. Again, the USDA says it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months but I have found that it does last longer. Again, use your best judgement.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 38kcalCarbohydrates: 10gSodium: 1mgSugar: 9g

Keyword albaloo, moraba albaloo, sour cherry jam

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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