A Little Jam Session: Preserving at Home This Summer

There is something satisfying about turning a glut of summer fruit into jars of preserve that will see you through to winter. With a few reliable kitchen tools from IKEA, the process becomes simple, even in a modest Maltese kitchen.

Stirring up something sweet on the stove

Start by tipping your fruit, sugar and a splash of water into IKEA's IKEA 365+ pot with lid, which is generously sized for batch cooking without crowding the hob. Stir things along with IKEA's KONCIS balloon whisk, which breaks down soft fruit easily and helps dissolve sugar evenly so nothing catches at the bottom.

If your kitchen runs warm in summer or your hob space is limited, IKEA's TILLREDA portable induction hob is worth considering, as it lets you preserve out on a balcony or in a utility area rather than heating up the whole flat. Once the mixture has thickened nicely, ladle it straight into IKEA's KORKEN jar with lid, ready for sealing and storing.

IKEA 365+ pot with lid, stainless steel, 5.0 lHILDEGUN oven gloveKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 0.5 lKONCIS balloon whisk, stainless steelTILLREDA portable induction hob, 1 zone white, 27x6.2x30.5 cmKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 1 l

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Keeping your jars and kitchen organised

A good preserving session relies on more than just the pot and jars. IKEA's HILDEGUN oven glove protects your hands when you are sterilising jars or lifting hot pans, which matters during Malta's long, warm months when a quick job at the stove can still feel like hard work. IKEA's KONCIS balloon whisk earns its keep again here for mixing marinades or dressings once your preserving mood takes hold.

For storage afterwards, IKEA's GEMAK colander helps you rinse and drain fresh fruit before it even reaches the pot, while IKEA's KUNGSFORS net bag gives surplus produce somewhere airy to sit on the counter. Lined up on a shelf, your filled KORKEN jars make a satisfying, practical display, ready to be given as gifts or kept for cooler evenings ahead.

KORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 0.5 lIKEA 365+ pot with lid, stainless steel, 5.0 lKONCIS balloon whisk, stainless steelHILDEGUN oven gloveGEMAK colander, off-white, 22 cmKUNGSFORS net bag, set of 2, natural

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Stock your kitchen with these essentials and preserving becomes a pleasure rather than a chore. Maltashopper brings them to your door across Malta and Gozo, ready whenever the fruit is ripe.

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