Lime Paletas (Popsicles) with Chia | Paletas de Limón con Chía

slightly adapted from Paletas de Limón recipe in Paletas by Fany Gerson

Ingredients:
¼ cup chia seeds
3 cups water, divided
1 cup sugar
3 1-inch strips of lime zest
¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (I use the small Mexican limes or Key limes)

Preparation:

1. Soak chia seeds in one cup room temperature water for at least one hour or until gelatinous (overnight soaking is optimal).
2. Combine water, sugar, and lime zest in small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure that sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool. Remove lime zest and transfer mixture to bowl with spout for easy pouring.
3. Drain water from chia seeds and add seeds to sugar-water mixure. Stir in lime juice.
4. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and top with lids. If using cups, let the mixture set in freezer for 30 minutes before inserting wooden sticks. It is also easier if cups are organized onto a small cookie sheet to ensure that paletas freeze evenly.
5. Freeze overnight.