Homemade Holiday Raspberry Quick Jam Recipe

Reader Contribution by Letitia L. Star
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This is a glorious holiday variation of my Raspberry & Cardamom Jam recipe published in my quick refrigerator jam article, Jams in a Jiffy.  I’ve featured the popular holiday spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove instead of cardamom – use whatever appeals to you and adjust to your taste. This naturally-sweetened jam is without refined sugar or artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

You can serve this recipe warm or chilled on holiday breads, crackers or spread on top of soft, spreadable cheeses such as Brie. It’s also wonderful topping for vanilla ice cream or frozen dessert. Be sure to refrigerate this recipe and consume with a week or two. No canning or special equipment required.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground clove
• 2 to 3 tablespoons apple juice concentrate thawed
• 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or light agave sweetener (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Rinse raspberries. If using frozen, completely thaw before jamming.

2. Combine raspberries, spices, apple juice concentrate and lemon juice in a large nonstick skillet.

3. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly and mashing berries with the back of a spoon, 5 to 15 minutes, or until mixture reaches the consistency of jam.

4. Refrigerate jam in a bowl for about 1 hour.

Herb & Spice Buying Sources:

Simply Organic 

Mountain Rose Herbs 

Quick Jam Reader Q&A:

1. Can you process and can these recipes?  No, it’s important to keep these quick jams refrigerated and eaten within a week or two. Please do not can them and store on the shelf. However, because these super-simple recipes take 10 to 20 minutes to make, it’s easy to whip up a new batch.

2. Are these recipes OK for diabetics? I wasn’t sure about the honey. Most likely, if you’re a type 2 diabetic and consuming store-bought fruit spreads (in small amounts) as part of your approved food plan. These recipes are without refined sugar or artificial sweeteners; however, they do contain natural fruit sugars.

You can substitute agave nectar for the honey, or omit any sweetener entirely except the fruit and apple juice concentrate. If you’re a person with any type of diabetes or pre-diabetes, be sure to discuss your diet, including naturally-sweetened recipes, with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.  

3. A reader shared these thoughts regarding quick summer jamming: “I’m going to try the lavender-peach jam with vanilla recipe using fresh, local peaches. It sounds delicious and the simpler, the better!”

My comment: Even if you don’t have access to fresh peaches during the colder months, you can still make great-tasting peach-lavender jam using frozen or canned peaches, preferably organic.


Letitia L. Star has written for Mother Earth Living and GRIT since 2005. To date, she’s written more than 1,100 published articles, including features on green living, travel and food. Reach her at LetitiaStarwriter@gmail.com. 

  • Published on Dec 16, 2015
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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