Banana Jam

Bit Bit was waiting for a big bunch of bananas to ripen, but after two days, they were still not fully ripe. However, the bananas all started to ripe the day after, and since there are some black spots around them, Bit Bit decided to use them before they start getting overripe. One good way of using them is to make banana jam.

The jam took quite a while to finish, around one hour, but one will still need time for it to cool down.

Things that Bit Bit found out about banana jam:

• One does not need to mash up all the banana before cooking, as they will start to mash up during cooking.
• The riper the banana, the sweeter it gets, so less sugar can be added.
• Although the sugar added seems to be a lot, it is really required to form the jam. Bit Bit needed to add more sugar during the cooking, as Bit Bit added too little sugar at the beginning.
• The lemon juice added to the banana, prevents the banana from turning brown.
• To make a more yellowish banana jam, add white sugar instead of brown sugar.
• Water is not really needed as it will make the mixture more watery. Use minimal water for dissolving of the sugar will do.
• Storing the jam in a glass jar lets one store the jam longer than in plastic containers.

Ingredients that Bit Bit used for Banana Jam:

1. Bananas - 8 Pieces (Around 700gm)
2. Lemon - 1 Whole
3. Brown Sugar Strips - 200gm
4. Fine Sugar - 6 Tbsp
5. Water - 3/4 Cup

Method that Bit Bit used to make Banana Jam:

1. Cut the lemon into half and squeeze out the juice in a big bowl.
2. Peel one banana and cut into thin slices.
3. Add the banana slices into the lemon juice, and mix slightly.
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 for the rest of the bananas.
5. Add the water into a pot and bring to boil.
6. Add the brown sugar strips into the boiling water and simmer till all the sugar dissolves.
7. Pour the banana lemon mixture into the sugar water.
8. Keep the heat at low and stir every five minutes, till the mixture thickens.
9. After the mixture thickens, turn off the heat.
10. Bring another pot of water to boil.
11. Pour the boiling water over an empty glass jar and its lid.
12. Dry the jar and lid.
13. While the jar is still hot, pour in the jam and close tight with the lid.
14. Wait for the jam to cool down and refrigerate the bottle of jam.
15. Take the jam out anytime to serve!