I will admit that this photo isn’t so easy on the eyes, but the point is pretty clear! Sugar free/pectin free jam for the win! I’ve been to every natural food store available in my city and all the jams/fruit spreads I found either contained sugar, or was made from concentrate, some even had some added preservatives that I couldn’t pronounce! (If you can’t say it, don’t buy it). So I decided the only way to get the jam I wanted was to make it myself! This recipe is fairly easy, nutritious, and delicious with a spicy kick. Minimize your sugar intake as much as you can, it will help you a great deal 🙂

Recipe:

3 cups organic fresh blackberries (cut in half, or diced for less chunks)
2 cups organic unsweetened apple sauce (or 1 cup of raw melted honey if you want it sweetened)
4 organic medjool dates (mashed)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp lemon juice (squeezed from lemon)
1/4 tsp organic pure vanilla extract

Heat a saucepan over low heat and combine all ingredients. Alternatively, you can melt the dates in the microwave before adding it to the remaining ingredients. Add dates and 1 tbsp water or honey in a bowl and melt for 1 minute. Add to remaining ingredients when ready.

Let jam mixture simmer on low heat for 40 minutes.

When ready, let jam cool for 10 minutes. Add jam to sterilized mason jars and keep in the refrigerator for 4 hours (or overnight). This will enable jam texture to form properly.

Spread jam over favorite gluten free bread or treat and enjoy!