Cider Date Jam

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (480 ml) water
6 medium (1 kg) Honeycrisp apples, halved, seeded
1 medium (130 g) orange, peeled
12 (195 g) medjool dates, pitted
2 cinnamon sticks, 3" (7cm) long
6 whole cloves [or ½ tsp. ground]
¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch, mixed with ⅓ cup water

DIRECTIONS

1. Place water, apples, orange, dates, cinnamon, and cloves into the Vitamix container and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 3 minutes, using the tamper to press ingredients toward the blades as needed.
2. Pour the mixture into a medium-sized sauce pot set over medium heat. Simmer for 60-75 minutes, or until mixture has reduced roughly by half (from about 8 cups of blended product to 4 cups of cooked product)
3. After mixture has reduced, add the cornstarch slurry and stir to incorporate. Turn heat to high briefly, until apple mixture comes to a slight boil, to activate the cornstarch for thickening. Remove from heat and chill completely.
4. After mixture is chilled, you can jar it, gift it, or enjoy it as the perfect homemade, whole-food gift.