Jam dreams

Matt laughed and shook his head this evening. "You're in squirrel mode, storing up food for the winter." Being a mature adult, obviously I stuck my tongue out at him... but it's kind of true.

I'd been flipping through the grocery store's sale flyer for the coming week, and peaches, nectarines and plums will be at the lowest price I've seen all summer, low enough that I can't not load up on them. I'm entertaining visions of bright, beautiful jars of canned fruit, as well as a cupboard full of jam to last us through the winter. Buying jam makes me crazy, because jam is so easy to make, but I have been awful about finding time to make it these past few years. Also awful at following recipes, so when I have set aside time to make jam, it's most often turned out syrupy. But not this time. No more playing fast and loose with quantities and seeing how little sugar I can get away with using; I'm doing it right.

My mom made an amazing spiced plum jam recently with anise, cinnamon and vanilla. I don't think I'd ever had a spiced jam before; I might have to make a batch myself! I've also been seeing a bunch of recipes for savory peach jams lately, like a rosemary-peach or this peach-thyme-black pepper jam. To use as a glaze for pork or chicken, maybe? Mm. We will see. Growing up we often made "blushing peach" jam with raspberries, which is good, but I don't love raspberry seeds in my jam... Peaches and strawberries might be a good combination, though, and I already have strawberries in the freezer.

I'm sure there are lots of other good jam recipes and spice combinations for peaches, nectarines and plums; what am I missing? I would love some more ideas!