How to Make Diabetic Jam

Diabetic jam is easily prepared at home

It is possible to make diabetic jam in your kitchen, using fresh fruit. A diabetic-friendly jam can be made at home with no special equipment, readily available ingredients, and a minimum of effort. The result is a wholesome and delicious diabetic jam that you can be sure is safe for people with diabetes. In addition, it is much fresher in taste and it costs much less than commercially prepared diabetic jam. This particular recipe will produce 3 cups of either strawberry or blueberry jam.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups fresh strawberries or blueberries
• 1 package (0.3 oz.) sugar-free strawberry or grape gelatin
• Large saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• 1 cup capacity freezer-safe jars or freezer containers

Instructions

1. Sterilize the containers you will be using to store your jam. One of the best methods of sterilizing them is to first wash the containers and their lids in warm soapy water, then rinse them thoroughly. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, place a lid on the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Keeping the lid on, boil continuously for 20 minutes.

   Let the water and containers cool to room temperature. Once they have cooled, drain the water from the pot. Keep the containers and lids in the pot until you need to use them. Handle them as little as possible and avoid touching the parts that require sterilization, such as the rims and the insides.

2. Mix 2 cups of sliced fresh strawberries or blueberries in a large saucepan, over medium-low heat. Add the sugar-free gelatin and one cup of water. If making strawberry jam, use the strawberry flavored gelatin. If you have decided upon blueberry jam, use grape gelatin.

3. Crush the berries as they heat. Once the berries are warm and have been crushed, increase the heat to medium, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for a few seconds before reducing the heat to low. Simmer for two more minutes while continuing to stir.

4. Transfer the prepared jam into the sterilized containers. Let them cool and then place them in either the refrigerator or the freezer. This jam will keep in the refrigerator for one week and in the freezer for up to three months.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute 2 cups of other fruits for the berries in this recipe. You can also combine fruits, and experiment with various flavors of sugar-free gelatin.

• Before storing the jam, write the date on the jars. This jam is perishable, so you need to know its expiration date.

References

• Ohio State University Medical Center: How to Sterilize Equipment
• Colorado State University Extension: Food Preservation Without Sugar or Salt
• "Biggest Book of Diabetic Recipes: More than 350 Great-Tasting Recipes for Living Well with Diabetes"; Better Homes & Gardens; Nov. 29, 2005