Sweet and Sour Jam - Not Just for Chicken

1 habanero pepper

3 cups fresh apricots, pitted and chopped

1 cup shallots, sliced into thin slivers

½ cup green bell pepper, chopped

½ cup red bell pepper, chopped

½ cup fresh pineapple, chopped

¼ cup cherry tomatoes, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon minced fresh cilantro

½ teaspoon ground cumin

¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1 (1.75 ounce) package powdered fruit pectin

6 cups white sugar

1 cup brown sugar, packed

½ teaspoon butter

9 sterilized half-pint canning jars with lids and rings

Wearing rubber gloves and avoiding touching your eyes or face, seed and mince the habanero pepper. Place the habanero pepper, apricots, shallots, green and red bell pepper, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and lime juice into a large pot over medium heat, and stir in the pectin until dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, and mix in the white and brown sugars, stirring until completely dissolved. Return the jam to a full rolling boil, add the butter to reduce foaming, and boil hard for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Turn off heat, and skim and discard any foam that forms on the jam. Pack the jam into the sterilized jars, and top each with a sterilized lid and ring.

Simmer the filled jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, then remove the jars and store upside-down on a cloth towel for about 5 minutes. Turn right side up, and allow the lids to seal (listen for the popping sound). Let jars cool completely.