Antioxidant rich Orange & Goji Jam-vegan, no added sugar.
Jams and jellies, date back to 11 th century historically, and were a byproduct of human attempts to preserve fruit using sugar or honey. Because sugar was expensive in the past, jams were mostly enjoyed by wealthy section of society. With the advent of high fructose corn syrup, food market has too many flavorful jams, but it is hard to find naturally sweetened varieties, with less or no unnecessary additives.
Oranges are widely available year round, and are extremely rich in natural fiber called pectin, which is normally added in commercial jam preparation. Goji berries are one of the nature’s blessings with high antioxidants, and are touted as ‘superfoods’ for same reason. Abundant in fiber, these bright orange berries are especially great for eye health, immunity and digestive health. Chia seeds, one of my favorite nutritional powerhouses, add the important omega 3s to this jam, and also help thicken the consistency.
With the spring weather in full swing and the morning sun getting warmer, while you sit down to eat a toast or oat meal or a muffin or bagel, this jam will complement your breakfast. Sweetened with dates, this jam is healthy, tangy and loaded with antioxidants/fiber. Another advantage is that, it stores well for 2-3 weeks, if the kids in your house let the jar hide in the fridge for that long.
Antioxidant rich Orange & Goji Jam
Equipment
- immersion blender
Ingredients
- 4 oranges of your choice I used navel oranges
- 1/2 cup goji berries
- 2 medjool dates pitted
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 whole orange zest
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 cup water
- pinch of salt
- 2-3 Tbsp chia seeds to thicken and to add extra nutrients
Instructions
- Grate orange zest from one orange and keep the zest aside.
- Now peel all the oranges carefully. Cut each orange into about 8-10 pieces.
- Take a heavy bottom soup pot, which has depth. Add the cut oranges, water, dates and salt. Let it come to a boil on medium heat. Then add the goji berries, lemon juice, mint leaves, orange zest. Simmer for a good 25 min with lid on . Then take the lid off for another 15 min.
- You will notice that the volume of the contents reduce, and thickening started to happen. Pectins, naturally present in oranges will cause the thickening.
- You can use hand/immersion blender and blend the mixture to a consistency of your preference at this stage.
- Now, go ahead add the chia seeds. Stir well. Wait for 6-8 min, before turning the stove off.
- Let the jam cool on the counter for 20 min. It will thicken more as it cools with chia seeds presence.
- Store in an air tight jar for up to 2-3 weeks in the fridge
- Enjoy with toast, or add a spoon on oat meal. Add the tangy fresh jam to sauces, gravies, for added taste.