Foraged & Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam 🌿 With Sweet Cicely, Dandelion & Dates 🌿
This jam captures the wild essence of Ireland in a jar—sweet, floral, and gently thickened with nature’s own ingredients.
Ingredients
- 500 g Fresh strawberries hulled and chopped
- 6 Dandelion flower heads only the pedals, no green parts
- 6 soft Medjool dates pitted and finely chopped
- 7 Sweet Cicely leaves finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Sweet Cicely seeds optional, for extra sweetness
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice helps set the jam and balances flavor
- 1 tbsp Chia seeds for thickening
- 100 ml Water
Instructions
- Pluck the bright yellow petals from the dandelion flowers, discarding the bitter green base.
- In a saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sweet cicely leaves, and seeds (if using) with the water.
- Simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes until the strawberries start breaking down.
- Add the chopped dates and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to help them dissolve into the mixture.
- Stir in the dandelion petals and lemon juice, letting the jam cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chia seeds. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the jam to thicken.
- If you prefer a smoother jam, blend lightly with an immersion blender. Otherwise, leave it with rustic chunks.
- Once fully cooled, store in a sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Serving Ideas:
🍞 Spread on sourdough toast with butter🥞 Swirl into yogurt or porridge
🍰 Use as a filling for sugar-free cakes
🧀 Pair with a creamy goat’s cheese