Blackberry Pepper Jelly Recipes

BLACKBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• FOR JUICE: Lightly mash berries and cook in water on top of stove for about 20 mins over medium/med high heat.
• FOR JELLY: Strain berries through cheesecloth, wire mesh strainer or sieve. SAVE JUICE! Discard berries and seeds.
• Measure sugar exactly. (do not reduce or use sugar substitute) Set aside.
• Measure juice exactly. Place juice and pectin in a 6 to 8 quart sauce pot. Add butter now (if using) to reduce foaming.
• Bring mixture to FULL ROLLING BOIL (a boil that does not stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, STIRRING CONSTANTLY!
• Stir in all of sugar. Return to rolling boil and boil exactly one minute, Stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
• Quickly ladle into prepared 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 mins or use the inversion method.
• NOTE: All instructions are included with pectin.
• Save any left over juice for a second batch! Can add up to 1/2 cup of water to juice if needed to make exact measurement.
• Have fun and enjoy!

BLACKBERRY JALAPENO JELLY

Steps:

• Mix the pectin crystals with 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl. Stir the blackberry juice, pectin mixture, green jalapeno, and red jalapeno together in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil for 1 full minute. Add the 3 1/2 cups sugar and return to a rolling boil until the sugar has fully dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir while off heat to remove bubbles and foam for about 5 minutes.
• Ladle into sterile jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal jars in a hot water bath. Refrigerate jelly after seal is broken.

BLUEBERRY PEPPER JELLY

Steps:

• Sterilize half-pint jars and lids and set aside.
• Place bell peppers, jalapenos, sugar and vinegar in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil, about 5 minutes. Add the blueberries and mash with a spoon to break up and extract juices (this take about 2-3 minutes). Return to a boil; add Certo and bring to a full rolling boil again, stirring constantly; cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Let stand 1 or 2 minutes and skim off foam.
• Ladle mixture into waiting jars. Put a flat lid and ring on each jar, tighten until snug and process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. (The jars must be covered by at least 1 inch of water.).
• Remove from pot and allow to cool. Allow jars to sit untouched for 12 hours. (After 1 hour, check to see if the jars have sealed. If the center of the lid can be pushed down, it hasn't sealed. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator.) Label and store, preferably in a cool, dark place.

BLACKBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Put two small, sterilised saucers in the freezer - you will use these to test the setting point of the jam. You can sterilise the saucers by washing them in hot soapy liquid, rinsing and placing in an oven at 180C/160C fan/gas 4 for 5 mins. Remove carefully and allow to cool.
• Wash and drain the fruit, cut the apple into 2-inch pieces and tip into a large, heavy-based saucepan with 200ml water and the lemon juice. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with a lid on for 10-15 mins until the fruit is soft. Stir occasionally using the back of a wooden spoon to help break down the fruit.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little. Place the fruit in a muslin lined sieve over a large mixing bowl and allow the juice to drip through. Discard the contents of your sieve, retaining your muslin to use another time.
• Weigh the remaining liquid and return to the saucepan. Weigh three quarters of sugar to your total liquid amount (for example, if you have 400g of liquid, add 300g of sugar). Add the sugar to the berry liquid and stir over a low medium heat until completely dissolved.
• Turn up the heat and bring the fruit to the boil, stirring occasionally, and allow to boil hard for about 8 mins. If using a thermometer, you're looking to reach 105C. If not, check the setting point of the liquid after 8 mins by removing a saucer from the freezer and adding a teaspoon of the berry liquid to the plate. Allow to sit for a minute. Push your finger through the liquid - if it starts to wrinkle the jelly is ready. If not, return to the boil and try again after another minute.
• Pour into sterilised jars and allow to cool completely. Store in a cool dark place.