One of my quick fixes to get me through part of this winter was a pretty hefty binge into the worlds of the videogame No Man’s Sky. It’s an immersive, open world space exploration game, and one of my favorite parts is scanning new flora and fauna on unexplored planets.

And, I mean, how amazing would that actually be? At least on worlds a little less inclined to murder red-shirts… It’s something that has really struck me as I started watching Scavenger’s Reign, also. It would be astonishing to suddenly have literally out-of-this-world ingredients to play with.

At any rate, until that day comes, we’ll have to make do with Earth ingredients!

In-game, the jam is created in a nutrient processor by combining Fireberries (found on scorched planets) and Processed Sugar (made from a variety of fruits). The “berries” look a lot like chili peppers, so both image and name fit the spicy profile. It’s described as having a flavor profile that is “otherworldly, chromatic, vivid”, which is both really fun, and not a whole lot to go on.

For my version, I opted for a mango base and blended spices like Aleppo pepper, ginger, grains of paradise, and long pepper for a lasting and varied burn. The result is a thick condiment that balances sweetness with a slow-building heat. It’s amazing paired with cheeses, or on a slice of toast, or probably atop some yogurt and granola, although mine didn’t last long enough to test that particular idea. And that shimmer from the edible glitter does give it a dash of that interstellar pizazz.

Everburning Jam Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup mango, diced small (frozen and thawed is fine)
• 2 Tbs. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. dried Aleppo pepper flakes
• ½ tsp. long pepper
• ¼ tsp. grains of paradise
• 1 Tbs. honey
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• Pinch of salt
• 2 Tbs. candied ginger, diced
• dash of cinnamon oil
• pink food coloring (optional)
• ¼ tsp edible red glitter

Combine the sugar, mango, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

Add in the spices and salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the mango is quite soft, then stir in the candied ginger, cinnamon oil, and food coloring and cook for a final 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the edible glitter.

The jam should keep for several weeks in the fridge. If you wish to seal it into jars, follow all standard canning procedures carefully.