Christmas Dried-Fruit Jam

Ingredients

• 3 lbs tart apples, cored wedges
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups dried figs, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups dried apricots, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups dried pears, chopped
• 1 cup dried dates, pitted, chopped
• 1 cup dried prune, pitted, chopped
• 1/4 cup candied lemon peel
• 1/4 cup candied orange peel
• 1/4 cup candied cherry
• 1 orange, juice and zest of, finely grated
• 1 lemon, juice and zest of, finely grated
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon anise seed (crushed)
• 4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces
• 1/2 cup slivered almond

Directions

1. 1

   Place apples in large pot with water, simmer until soft.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, add all the chopped & pitted fruit.

3. 3

   Press soft apples with a potato masher, then spoon into a square of cheesecloth (clipped to a footed colander), suspended over the bowl of fruit.

4. 4

   Let apples drip over fruit WITHOUT squeezing or forcing--overnight.

5. 5

   Next morning: add remaining ingredients EXCEPT for nuts to a large sauce-pot, adding soaked fruit.

6. 6

   Stir, then simmer gently until sugar dissolves; bring to a boil; boiling for five minutes.

7. 7

   Skim survace, add nuts, boil another five minutes until 200*F (sea level).

8. 8

   Remove pan from heat; spoon jam into hot jars, add two-part lids; process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes (sea level).

9. 9

   Label and store in cool, dark cupboard.

10. 10

    GIFT GIVING: Use pretty jars and add a decorative label -- include in a basket with other home-made kitchen gifts. "How nice of you!".

11. 11

    USES: As described above OR as a replacement for traditional (with suet) mincemeat.