We grow everbearing raspberries, and the way we manage them, they produce a heavy crop of berries from mid-August through September. And it just so happens that our jalapeño peppers ripen during that time as well. Thus, the perfect combination for an amazing treat – low sugar raspberry jalapeño jam!
But don’t worry, you don’t have to have fresh raspberries (or grow your own) for this recipe; frozen work just as well.
My husband really loves jams and jellies, and tops his daily yogurt with it. I like to keep things low sugar or even sugar-free, and have been using Pomona’s Pectin for years to accomplish that goal.
With Pomona’s I can sweeten jams and jellies with much less sugar than traditional recipes, or even with maple syrup. And we actually find that the finished product is more delicious because the fruit flavor really shines through, and the finished product is not overly sweet.
Using Pomona’s is a little different than traditional pectin. When you open the box, you’ll find two little packages. One is calcium and the other is pure citrus pectin (no dextrose or preservatives). Traditional pectin uses sugar to activate the pectin; with Pomona’s Pectin, the calcium takes on that role so that sugar can be drastically reduced. Complete instructions are included in the package.
Canning Jams and Jellies
Jams and jellies are processed in a boiling water bath:
- Get your water bath canner ready before starting to make your jelly or jam.
- Fill the canner half full with hot water so that the level will be 1-2 inches over the tops of the jars after they are added. Center the canner over the burner and turn the heat on low for now.
- Wash the canning jars in hot, soapy water and rinse. Then keep the jars in hot water until it’s time to fill them.
- Wash and rinse your canning lids and bands.
- Proceed making your jam or jelly. Pour the boiling jelly or jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.
- Wipe the jar rims with a clean, damp paper towel. Place a canning lid and ring on each jar.
- Using a canning jar lifter, place filled jars on a rack in the canner filled with hot water. The water should cover the jars by one or two inches; add more boiling water if needed, pouring it between the jars and not directly on them.
- Cover the canner. Turn the stove burner to high and bring the water in the canner to a full boil. Boil jars gently for 10 minutes. (It is not necessary to sterilize jars first, but if you choose to, then boil jars for 5 minutes).
- Remove the jars to a protected surface and allow to cool away from drafts.
- The 10 minute processing time is for altitudes of 0-1000 feet. Add 1 minute of processing time for each 1000 feet of additional altitude.
 | Set of 12 Ball Mason Jars 8oz Quilted Jelly Jars with Lids and Bands |
More Jam and Jelly Recipes You’ll Love
Two Ingredient Strawberry Maple Jam Recipe
Canning Low Sugar Elderberry Jelly
Hedgerow Jelly: a Delicious Mixture of Fall Foraged Fruit
Low Sugar Raspberry Jalapeño Jam
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
- 2 – 3 jalapeño peppers finely chopped, include seeds if more heat is desired
- 1 small sweet red pepper finely chopped
- 3/4 – 1 cup organic sugar or pure maple syrup
- 1 package Pomona's Pectin
Instructions
- Mash raspberries.
- Place raspberries and chopped jalapeño and sweet peppers in a large pot.
- The package of Pomona's Pectin contains 2 smaller packages. One is pectin powder and the other is calcium powder. Put 1/2 teaspoon white calcium powder and 1/2 cup water in a small jar with lid. Shake well. (Any leftover calcium water will last for several months in the refrigerator, or may be frozen indefinitely).
- Add 2 teaspoons of the calcium water to the pot and stir.
- Place sugar or maple syrup in bowl and thoroughly mix in 2 teaspoons of pectin from package of Pomona's Pectin. Set aside.
- Bring raspberry and pepper mixture to a full boil
- Add pectin-sugar (or maple syrup) mixture to the pot, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes to dissolve the pectin while the jam comes back up to a boil. When the jam returns to a full boil, remove it from the heat.
- Ladle the jam into clean, hot, 8 ounce canning jars to 1/4" of top. Wipe rims of jar clean and screw on 2-piece canning lids. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Full canning instructions are given in text of post.
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Lin says
I once had a commercially made BlackBerry jalapeno walnut jam. It was great and I will definitely try this recipe. Thanks
Susan Vinskofski says
That sounds amazing!!!
Shelby says
I wouldn’t have thought o pair rapsberries & jalapenos but the sweet to spicy mix is amazing! Especially on flatbread or whatnot as an app!
Cindi says
How hot is it? Are the peppers really spicy or do the raspberries tone it down.
Susan Vinskofski says
The raspberries definitely tone down the heat. If you are concerned, use the lesser amount of jalapeños. 🙂
Mary says
Can I substitute sure gel pectin or Certo?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Mary, neither of those pectins are made for low-sugar recipes. Your final product will not properly gel.
Jennie says
Hi! There is a low sugar/no sugar pectin from sure jell. I use it for my regular strawberry jam and sweeten with honey. Do you think it will work in this recipe?
Susan says
I’ve never used it, but I’m sure it will.
Patricia says
Thank you Susan! We have a CSA and our second crop of raspberries are set to ripen. We also, for some crazy unknown reason planted 12 jalapeno plants this year. We used to live in NM so we like it warm. Our members in Indiana-not so much! This may convince them to like jalapenos a little more! BTW, I have always found it a little less exhausting to sterilize my jars after washing in the oven instead of hot water.
Susan Vinskofski says
LOL. I hope they enjoy it!
Patricia says
I forgot to ask you if you know how long the calcium water is good for stored in the fridge. Thanks
Susan Vinskofski says
The calcium water lasts at least 6 months in the fridge!