If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I decided to make some quick jelly this weekend to use up some of the fruit we had on hand around here. I wanted to use up 2 cups of blackberries because they weren't getting used in anything else - however that wasn't enough for a small batch of jelly so I added a couple containers of strawberries I had stashed in the freezer along with an apple that was lonely and growing old in our refrigerator. But when it comes to fruit jelly, that's the beauty; it's fruit and sugar and pectic. It comes together beautifully to make... jelly. And fruit jelly of almost any kind is good.
This is a basic Sure-Jell recipe as that is the brand pectin I use. I get about 4 pint jars from this.
Blackberry Jelly
4 c blackberries (I used 2 cups blackberries, 1 1/2 c strawberries and 1 chopped apple)
3 c water (approximate; enough to cover the fruit in a saucepan)
4 c sugar
1 (1 3/4 ounce) box dry pectin
Place the clean fruit in a saucepan on the stove and just barely cover with water (about 3 - 4 cups) Simmer about 20 mins over medium high heat. You can blend or process the fruit if you wish, but don't have to. Strain the berry/fruit mixture through a wire mesh strainer or cheesecloth to get the juice. You want to get about 3 3/4 cups of pure juice. Throw away the seeds and pulp leftover. You only want the juice.
Place juice and pectin in a large saucepan. Bring mixture to full rolling boil, stirring constantly so it doesn't scorch the bottom. Stir in the sugar. Return to a boil and cook one minute at a full boil, Stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and skim off foam. Pour or ladle into clean, hot jars, within 1/8 inch of top. Wipe jar rims and threads with damp cloth. Cover with two piece lids. Screw on tightly. Process in a hot water bath for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool at room temperature until the lids pop.
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| Fruit in a saucepan to cook down |
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| I put mine through the food processor before straining. You don't have to. |
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| Added the sugar, now to whisk it all in |
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| Skimming off the foam for a more clear jelly |
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| Ready to pour into hot, sterilized jars |
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| Ready for their lids and their bath |
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| A quick 5 minute water bath |
