Most jam and jelly recipes depend on equal parts sugar to fruit in order to get a spreadable product. There is also the frustration of getting a thickener like pectin to work well.
This recipe cuts the refined sugar out entirely and uses chia seeds to make it a jam! The addition of chia seeds not only makes this an easy recipe, but they offer a variety of nutrition benefits like essential Omega-3, fiber, and a little protein.
You can use fresh or frozen berries
With summer in full swing berries are abundant and fresh. If you can’t make a jam right away it’s easy to freeze your berries for future use.
Rinse your berries well using a colander, let the water drain, and then lay them out on a clean kitchen towel.
Gently roll the berries on the towel or pat dry, then place them in a single layer in a freezer bag. They will keep their fresh flavor in the freezer for up to three months.
Alternatively, you can make a batch of jam and freeze them in jam jars.
Triple Berry Chia Seed Jam
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup strawberries tops removed
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Pour the measured berries, fresh or frozen, into a medium sized pot. Heat over medium heat until the liquid starts to be released from the berries, about 5 minutes.
- Use a potato masher or heavy spoon to break down the berries. Allow to simmer over medium-low heat for 5 additional minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the maple syrup and chia seeds.
- Transfer the jam to a glass dish or canning jars. The jam will thicken as it cools and the chia seeds will become soft within 10 minutes. For best results allow the jam to cool in the refrigerator overnight. This jam will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.