Recipes

Sugar-Free Raspberry Jam with Medjool Dates and Chia Seeds

by Sigona's Farmers Market · April 25, 2022

Sometimes we just need a little jam for a fresh slice of homemade bread or even an English muffin. It’s the little things, right? Some jams require gelatin or lots of refined or added sugar. This jam requires no added sugar, just the natural sweetness of the raspberries, a few Medjool dates and maybe a little honey, if you want more sweet than tart.

Sugar-free raspberry jam sweetened with Medjool Dates

Chia seeds, when exposed to liquid, change in texture. Their unique outer layer swells and becomes gel-like (gelatinization), making for a natural gelatin-like texture that acts as a thickener and it is a perfect, healthy way to add a little more thickness to a quick jam. If you’re feeling up to a little science or chemistry project, we will forgive you for going some extra Googling to learn more about the amazing little chia seed. Just make sure to come pick up supplies for this quick jam at Sigona’s too!

Quick, Sugar-Free Raspberry Jam with Medjool Dates and Chia Seeds

Keeping heat away from ingredients preserves some of their naturally occurring health benefits. This raw jam just requires a blender and a refrigerator — no heat necessary, which keeps it raw. It’s also free of added sugar; the dates sweeten the mixture naturally, and the chia seeds help give it a jammy texture. Use honey if you want to sweeten it up a bit more. Makes about 3/4 cup.

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Total Time 20

Course condiment

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Ingredients:

2 to 3 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped see note
1 Tbsp. warm water
6 oz. fresh raspberries 1 clamshell
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Honey, to taste such as orange blossom honey from Honey Hole Honey Co., available at Sigona’s (see note)

Instructions

Soak the dates in a little water for about 10 minutes. Discard the water then add the dates to a blender. Pulse them a little to break them up. Add the raspberries, chia seeds and lemon juice. Blend until pureed. Taste and add honey to sweeten, if desired.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

We sell many dried fruits and nuts in our markets and also online at www.sigonas.com. We also well raw, local honey seasonally (because it’s gathered from local bees that buzz around plants that grow and blossom in different seasons).

Medjool dates

Honey Hole Honey Co. Honey (Don’t worry! Visit our markets or call to order if it’s not available online. Sometimes we do not have enough to add it to our online store, but we usually have some in stock in our markets: 650-368-6993.)

Keyword medjool dates, raspberries

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Tags: jam Medjool dates raspberries

Alli Trull says:

February 7, 2023 at 1:09 pm

Can you can this recipe?

Reply
- Sigona's Farmers Market says:
  
  October 11, 2023 at 9:46 am
  
  Good question. We are sorry to say we haven’t not attempted it ourselves. If you do try, please let us know!
  
  Reply

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Carmelo Sigona emigrated in 1912 from Sicily, bringing with him the tradition of making his own wine. His grandson and namesake, Carmelo Sigona, co-owner of Sigona's Farmers Market, has fond memories of his grandfather making wine and serving it at family meals on Sundays. After years of wanting to make his own wine just like Grandpa Sigona, present-day Carmelo has finally made his dreams come true. Tune in for more.

Nothing is more rewarding to Rob Sigona, our passionate produce buyer, than taking a road trip to visit one of Sigona's favorite farmers. About a five hour drive from the Bay Area, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, is the town of Springville. There you will find a place seemingly untouched by time; a place called home to orange grower Ron Matik of Pleasant Oaks Ranch. Since 1984 Ron has grown some of the best heirloom navel oranges in the state, if not the world: the heirloom Washington Navel. "I have yet to taste an orange that is better than ours,” says Matik. “Maybe some with the same sweetness, but never better.” And Sigona's agrees! Heirloom Washington Navels are the variety that got the whole California citrus market booming all those years ago. It takes special attention from the farmer to tend to the soil and the variety to produce such outstanding fruit. "Small farmers, such as Ron, are a dwindling breed,” says Rob Sigona. “They’re passionate caretakers of the the land that produce exceptional quality; they are the rare gems." It is an achievement to find such great tasting oranges to bring in for our customers. We are excited to announce we’ll get a load of specially picked and packed heirloom Washington Navels in our store this week, delivered directly from Pleasant Oaks Ranch. So, come on by Sigona's to enjoy a slice of California’s prized history…for FREE! You can get a bag of free Pleasant Oaks Ranch oranges starting today through March 5th with your coupon when you spend $30 or more in the store.

Sugar-Free Raspberry Jam with Medjool Dates and Chia Seeds