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How To Make Pineapple Jam for Pineapple Tarts

written by Marvellina Updated: January 15, 2025
12.3K
PIN RECIPE COMMENTS VIEW RECIPE RECIPE VIDEO
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Pineapple is cooked and reduced to a very thick consistency and is usually used to fill up Pineapple Tarts. Fresh or canned pineapple can be used with this recipe.

Selai Nenas Nastar (Pineapple Jam for Pineapple tarts)#pineapple #jam #nastar #CNY

Pineapples were on sale a few weeks ago and with 4 pineapples at home, I thought I would make a compote or what we usually selai nenas in Indonesia. They were easy to make but just needed about one hour to get to a thick consistency to be used in Kue Nastar (Pineapple Tarts).

Can I use canned pineapple to make the jam?

Yes, in fact, that is what I’ve been using for the past few years as I get a bit lazy LOL! I usually use pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple packed in its own juice without any added sugar. They work perfectly fine.

Do I need maltose?

Maltose is usually added to help prevent sugar crystallization, extend shelf life and give the finished jam a nice glossy look. Maltose doesn’t taste sweet like regular sugar. So its addition won’t affect the taste in terms of sweetness. You can skip maltose if you don’t want to add any. You can replace it with golden syrup if that’s what you have.

Selai Nenas Nastar (Pineapple Jam for Pineapple tarts)#pineapple #jam #nastar #CNY

How do you pick a good pineapple?

To be honest, I’m not an expert either. Usually you would be able to smell a nice pineapple aroma at its base. A stranger told me before that I should be able to tug on one of the inner leaves. Those are the signs that the pineapple is ready.

Pineapple

The thickness of the pineapple jam is necessary when you are going to use it to make Kue Nastar. The jam is usually rolled into a ball and then wrapped with the dough.

Selai Nenas Nastar (Pineapple Jam for Pineapple tarts)#pineapple #jam #nastar #CNY
Selai Nenas Nastar (Pineapple Jam for Pineapple tarts)

How To Make Pineapple Jam for Pineapple Tarts

Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Servings 1 serving (440 grams)
4.9 from 15 reviews
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 2 kg pineapple (before trimming) see notes
  • 90 gr sugar more or less to your taste
  • 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 cloves or 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional:

  • 20 gr maltose or golden syrup

Instructions
 

If using fresh pineapples:

  • Trim off the top and bottom of the pineapple. Start trimming the sides and then trim off the "eyes". Slice the pineapple vertically and cut off the core. Cut into little pieces. After trimming it would be roughly about 900-1000 grams. Use a food processor or blender to roughly chopped it.
    Pineapple

Optional:

  • I no longer recommend squeezing out the juice (video is not updated yet). The juice adds flavor and also helps with caramelization of the jam.

If using canned pineapple:

  • Use a food processor or blender to just roughly process it

Cooking:

  • In a large pot, put in the pineapple, sugar, and spices and cook over medium-low heat.
  • It will splatter quite a bit at first. I partially cover the pot with the lid to contain the mess, but still allow some liquid to evaporate while cooking.
  • Stir every now and then and cook until they are a bit thicker, which is after about one hour, add the maltose or golden syrup if you choose to use.
  • This is after about 1 1/2 hour of cooking
  • Continue to cook until it gets really thick, the whole cooking time may take about 2-2 1/2 hours. Towards the last half an hour, you may want to lower the heat a bit because the jam has thickened considerably and we don't want to "burn" it.
  • The jam turns darker in color and no longer watery. It feels soft at this point but will harden once cools down. When the jam has reduced to the consistency you like, stir in the vanilla extract if you use. Stir to combine
  • The weight may range from 440-500 grams total. The weight may vary a bit, depending on the consistency of the jam

How to store:

  • Let the jam cools down completely at room temperature. Store in glass container and keep in the refrigerator and it's good up to about 2 weeks and can be kept frozen for 1 month

Marv’s Recipe Notes

If you choose to use canned pineapple, get the pineapple chunks or crushed pineapples. You will need about 3 cans of pineapple chunks (about 20 oz or 567 grams each can) in its juice (no added sugar).

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
How To Make Pineapple Jam for Pineapple Tarts
Serving Size
 
1 recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
1432
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.2
g
1
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.3
g
Sodium
 
23
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
2209
mg
63
%
Carbohydrates
 
371
g
124
%
Fiber
 
30
g
125
%
Sugar
 
303
g
337
%
Protein
 
11
g
22
%
Vitamin A
 
1171
IU
23
%
Vitamin C
 
956
mg
1159
%
Calcium
 
300
mg
30
%
Iron
 
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I’d love to see your photos/videos on Instagram

What you can make with pineapple jam

Try these Taiwan pineapple tarts, Indonesian kue nastar, and Malaysian/Singaporean open-faced pineapple tarts. They are all delicious and popular Chinese New Year goodies.

Taiwan Pineapple Cakes/Tarts (Feng Li Su)
Taiwan pineapple tart
Kue Nastar (Indonesian Pineapple Tart)
Kue Nastar (Indonesian Pineapple Tart)
Open-Faced Pineapple Tarts (for Chinese New Year)
Open-Faced Pineapple Tarts (for Chinese New Year)

Did you make this pineapple jam recipe?

I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag it to show me what you’ve made. Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real!

Selai Nenas Nastar (Pineapple Jam for Pineapple tarts)#pineapple #jam #nastar #CNY
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22 comments

ong December 17, 2023 - 9:55 pm

how about add in the pectin, will be thicker?

Reply
Marvellina December 18, 2023 - 8:29 pm

I haven’t tried adding pectin and if you do, that will definitely thicken it up considerably!

Reply
Vicks June 19, 2023 - 10:17 pm

Thanks for another lovely recipe! I cooked mines about 2 hours and it has the right consistency of jam but I didn’t get the beautiful caramelized deep brown colour you have in your pictures. I even added the golden syrup. Did I have to cook it longer to achieve this? But otherwise it tastes great and looking forward to making these into your other recipe – pineapple tarts over the weekend!

Reply
Marvellina June 20, 2023 - 9:11 pm

Hi Vicks, yes, the longer you cook, the “stiffer” the jam will be. The color deepens too. I usually cook it until really stiff to be used for pineapple tart. Depending on what you are going to use it for, for spreadable jam consistency, the color won’t be as deep as shown in the photo. I hope it makes sense 🙂

Reply
Lan January 15, 2023 - 1:14 am

Can I use frozen pineapples? If so, how many grams of frozen pineapples?

Reply
Marvellina January 15, 2023 - 8:07 pm

Hi Lan, it should be the same amount for frozen pineapple

Reply
Sheena September 30, 2022 - 8:12 am

My pineapple was 1.3kgs (whole). I only made 136g of jam. Did you include the pineapple core in making the jam? Thanks.

Reply
Marvellina September 30, 2022 - 3:07 pm

Hi Sheena, no I didn’t include the core. Your yield amount sounds about right. I realize that the yield amount I had was for double recipe! Sorry for the confusion!

Reply
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