Kiwifruit Coconut Chia Popsicles

ngredients

• 3 Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, sliced horizontally into rounds
• 1 can (13.5 ounces) full-fat canned coconut milk, well shaken
• ⅔ cup coconut water (or any milk alternative)
• 5 tablespoons chia seeds
• ½ tablespoon honey or agave syrup, plus more to taste

Instructions

1. Make the Chia Coconut Mixture In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the full-fat coconut milk (make sure it's well shaken!), coconut water, chia seeds, and honey or agave syrup until everything is well combined. Taste the mixture and add more honey or agave if you prefer it sweeter. Remember, the kiwifruit will add natural sweetness too! Set aside for 5 minutes to let the chia seeds start to absorb liquid and thicken slightly.
2. Check Kiwi Ripeness and Slice Hold each Zespri SunGold kiwifruit in your palm and gently squeeze to check for ripeness. The fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure, similar to a ripe avocado or mango. If it feels rock hard, let it ripen at room temperature for a day or two. Once ripe, use a sharp knife to slice each kiwifruit horizontally (not lengthwise) into rounds about ¼ inch thick. The rounds should be thick enough to clearly display the beautiful golden center and star pattern. You'll need 2-3 slices per popsicle mold depending on the size of your molds.
3. Layer Kiwi in Popsicle Molds Place kiwi slices into your popsicle molds, pressing them gently against the sides of the molds using a chopstick, the handle of a spoon, or your finger. Position the slices so the golden flesh faces outward toward the clear mold wall. This creates that gorgeous visual effect when frozen! You can use 2-3 slices per mold, arranging them at different heights for a layered look.
4. Pour Chia Mixture and Freeze Give the chia coconut mixture another quick stir to redistribute the chia seeds (they settle!). Gently pour the mixture into each popsicle mold over the kiwi slices, filling almost to the top and leaving about ¼ inch of space for expansion. The chia seeds will distribute throughout as you pour. Insert popsicle sticks into the center of each mold. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight until the popsicles are completely solid and frozen through.
5. Unmold and Serve When ready to serve, remove the popsicle mold from the freezer. Run warm (not hot!) water over the outside of the molds for 10-20 seconds until the popsicles loosen and release easily. Gently pull on the stick to remove each popsicle. If they're still stuck, run under warm water for a few more seconds. Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, tropical deliciousness!