Black Cherry Jam With Pepper - black cherries

Method

• Cook cherries in a heavy-bottomed pot for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put a plate in the freezer.
• After 20 minutes, while cherries are still at a boil, add lemon juice and zest. Stir and add sugar. Continue stirring frequently. Add vanilla and pepper, stir, and simmer jam for about 50 minutes.
• The jam is ready when you have a fairly thick gel-like consistency. Take the plate out of the freezer and spread a teaspoonful of jam on to check the thickness of the jam.