I have to admit that canning is one of my biggest cooking fears. I’m probably the world’s biggest canning baby. The thought of putting food in a pot that builds pressure that could potentially blow slightly terrifies me. I know this is highly unlikely, but the complication of the process also scares me.

While I was reading over Veronica’s recipe for this Maple and Onion Jam, I noticed that she used the water bath method. Right away my apprehension was greatly reduced. All that’s required is processing the jam for 10 minutes in boiling water. It really is that simple. 

The flavor of this jam is kind of amazing. I definitely wouldn’t say it’s strictly savory because it is quite sweet; it’s jam, after all. And it’s amazing on toast. Or grilled cheese. But I’ll get to that later.

 
 
 

Here are all of the lovely ingredients you’ll need: olive oil, sweet onions (I used some local Walla Walla onions), salt, pepper, thyme, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar.

 
 
 

Step one: If you’re wearing mascara, make sure it’s waterproof, because we’re gonna chop a lot of onions. Does anyone else roll their eyes and do a little dance when their eyes start to smart? I’m pretty certain it helps.

 
 
 

I actually only needed two large onions to get the required eight cups of chopped onions. If you’re using small or medium onions, you will, of course, need more.

 
 
 

Now it’s time to cook down your onions. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.

 
 
 

Add your chopped onions and cook until the onions become translucent, about 10 minutes or so.

 
 
 

Add the salt, pepper, and thyme.

 
 
 

Isn’t it pretty?

 
 
 

Turn down the heat and cover your skillet. I don’t have a lid for my cast iron skillet, so I improvised and used the largest lid I had. 

 
 
 

Once the onions have cooked for another 10 minutes or so, pour in the maple syrup. Oh yeah. 

Cook uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated. I had to cook mine for at least an extra 10 minutes.

 
 
 

Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar.

 
 
 

Ladle the jam into (sterilized) jars and screw on the lids. 

 
 
 

Process in a (boiling) water bath for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the jars and allow to cool. I say, “Another one bites the dust!” when I hear the ping of the jars sealing. My toddler probably thinks I’m crazy.

 
 
 

I think this is the tastiest jam I’ve ever made. As soon as I open a jar, my kitchen smells wonderful. There are so many potential uses: on burgers, toast, as a relish for meat (pork pairs well), or fancy grilled cheese.

 
 
 

I made a grown-up grilled cheese with butter, thinly sliced apples, Havarti, bacon, and the onion jam. It’s one of the best things I’ve created in a while.

 
 
 

Notes:

1. I recommend filling your canning pot with water and turning on the heat first thing. It takes FOREVER for a large pot of water to boil.
2. As I mentioned before, you don’t need a special canning pot for water bath canning. All you need is a large, deep pot and a round rack to keep the jars off the bottom of the pan. I’ve heard that you can even use lid rings!

Many thanks to Veronica for sharing her recipe here on Tasty Kitchen. If you want to see more of her comfort-food recipes, stop by her blog, My Catholic Kitchen. Her Caramel Apple Bread and Butter Pudding sounds really good right now.

 
 

Printable Recipe

 
 
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Erica Kastner has always been one of our most cherished members of the Tasty Kitchen community. She shares her wonderful recipes and amazing food photography on her blog, Buttered Side Up, and she also writes about crafts and posts more of her beautiful photography in her personal blog, Simple Days. There really isn’t much that this amazing young wife and mother can’t do, and we’re thrilled she does some of it here.