Freezing Peppers for Chilli Jam

Asked by Siou. Answered on 1st December 2013

Full question

Hi, I was wondering if can I pre-chop my chilli's and peppers and freeze them until I'm ready to make my next batch as I have a glut of peppers? Also how firm is the jam meant to be? Mine looks quite firmly set. Thanks, Sue

Our answer

For Nigella's Chilli Jam (from Christmas and on the Nigella website) the red peppers (bell peppers) and chilli peppers used in the jam should be fine to pre-chop and freeze. Sometimes if you are freezing fruits for jams and marmalades the pectin can be slightly diminished when the fruits are thawed. However as the peppers and chillis don't contain pectin, the pectin in this recipe comes from the pectin in the jam sugar, then this should not be an issue. You may however get some darkening in the bright red colour of the peppers and chillis when they thaw.

The Chilli Jam usually has a medium to soft set, though not liquid. If you have a slightly firmer set then this should not be a problem.