Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Gooseberry Jam



The Indian Gooseberry or Amla is a fruit that is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. It is known to be a powerful antioxidant and very effective in boosting immunity. It restores and rejuvenates the vitality of the body. Gooseberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C can contains calcium, phosphorous, iron, carotene, and Vitamin B complex. It also increases red blood cell production and strengthens teeth and nails. It flushes out the toxins and even nourishes the brain and mental functioning.


Health Benefits of Gooseberry
Gooseberries are found to be beneficial in:
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Eye Care
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Infection
  • Diarrhea and dysentery
  • Gastric syndrome
  • Anemia
  • Urinary problems
  • Hair loss
  • Improving apetite
  • Ant-aging
Eating Gooseberries

Raw-Gooseberries are best eaten raw to get the best of its benefits. Hubby and I love to eat it raw or with a bit of salt.
Juice- Many Ayurved and health centres in India offer gooseberry juice as a health drink. It is also available in bottled form.
Pickles- Gooseberry pickles are another favourite in my family.
Murabba- is a sweet fruit preserve. Gooseberry is also prepared as murabba and stored when the fruit is available in plenty.

Gooseberry for kids-
Having known the benefits of this fruit, how it boosts the immunity and apetite; I was very keen to introduce it to my kids. I would be fooling myself to attempt any of the above, so I decided to try making gooseberry jam. I am happy to tell you that my little girl loved it, she loves any jam on toast! I have to still work on my son, hope to get there soon.



Ingredients-
1dozen gooseberries
1 inch long ginger
1/2 tsp citric acid
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup sugar
Powdered cashew and almonds
Preparation-
  • Top and tail gooseberries, deseed and chop.
  • Peel and grate ginger. Juice the lemon.
  • Run the chopped gooseberry in a processer to get a finer texture. Add a little water if necessary.
  • Add sugar, water, grated ginger and citric acid. Cook the mixture, stirring all the time.
  • When the jam is done, take off the heat, and add the powdered dry fruits.
  • Cool and preserve in sterlised bottles.
  • Serve on toast or as a sandwhich. Can also be included as part of the school tiffin.

22 comments:

  1. these look so good. i never see them around here and when i do they're very dear. lovely!

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  2. Lots of health benefits of gooseberry. Hope to find them soon here.

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  3. I didn't know there was a gooseberry jam. I thought that was just a name people gave jam made with many different berries

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  4. Nice pictures! Gooseberry is very expensive here.

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  5. We have never cooked with gooseberries. They look kind of like tomatillos -- are they related I wonder? I'll research. I'm going to look for them at India Grocers, one of our favorite markets here in Houston, to see if I can find some. I'll do anything to get the kids to eat something healthy! Robin

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  6. Oh! Never seen gooseberries...look yummie and very tasty from your pictures :-)

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  7. wish you a happy new year, shirley. brilliant. the health benefits are the most important
    www.chackoskitche.blogspot.com

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  8. Not seen gooseberries around here or else I will surely make this!

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  9. You are so creative. I am going to try this recipes....when I find gooseberries.

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  10. Wow, Shirley what a healthy treat. Will try making this awesome Gooseberry Jam soon. My Grandma used to make such delicious pickle and murabba, your post made me nostalgic. Beautiful Clicks.

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  11. oh wow, I had no idea about all the benefits - thanks for sharing!

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  12. Sounds great... love the addition of the ginger; lots of added zing and health benefits! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. I can easily find this when I was a kid! But my grandfater told me it's poisonous. So, don't dare to touch on them. Finally, it's all clear now. Thank you so much for posting this. Otherwise, I'll never know this is actually something truely nutritious and eatable. hehe... But it's too late now! Can't easily find this kind of fruits anymore.

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  14. Wow...mouth watering jam...never tasted this jam before....looks simple to make....love to give it a try....

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  15. Looks like a little problem here. Before I clicked the Post Comment button the whole comment disappeared. Pls delete the other one or this one then if it comes through. Your gooseberries jam looks very ehalthy and delicious. I haven't tried gooseberries yet. Have to go and look for them. Thanks for all the health info. Thanks too for the broken wheat recipe for tummy problem. I'm a lot better today but would still prefer to be more careful with my food until my appetite returns fully.

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  16. Wow, gooseberry transformed into jam, never thought of this ever. Looks really good and an unique recipe. Thanks for sharing this. I've tried putting gooseberry in honey and preserved it for a month, it was good, even kids loved it.

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  17. Now this is one creative jam indeed! I have never cooked with gooseberry, now the hunt is on to find these little berries.

    Regards,
    CCR
    =:~)

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  18. where did you find those. since I moved to US I haven't seen them anywhere! I miss them so much. we used to grow them in our garden in Poland. They are so delicious!!!

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  19. Shirley, gooseberries... yum. Thanks for joining in the "jam" session. Cheers

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