Karens Homemade Grape Jelly Recipes

GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• To extract grape juice, stem the grapes into a stockpot or saucepan and add 1/2 cup water.
• Bring the mixture to a boil while mashing the grapes to encourage them to release their juice. Continue to cook until the grapes completely fall apart, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and strain through a jelly bag or double layer or cheesecloth. Allow the juice to strain for at least 2 hours.
• Refrigerate the juice overnight to allow tartrate crystals to separate out.
• Strain the cold juice through the cheesecloth again. Pour carefully, and leave the tartrate crystal sediment behind at the bottom of the jar. Not all grapes form visible tartrate crystals, but this is a good precaution anyway and will prevent crystals in the finished grape jelly.
• If you're starting with purchased grape juice, skip these steps and begin below.
• Add 4 cups of grape juice to a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, ensuring that the fills the pot no more than 1/3 of the way (mixture will foam). Add the powdered pectin and stir to dissolve. (Don't add the sugar yet.)
• Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and boil 1 minute.
• Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Bring the mixture back to a hard boil and boil 1 minute before turning off the heat.
• Ladle the grape jelly into prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Store in the refrigerator for a refrigerator jam and use within 3-4 weeks.
• If canning, process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes if under 1,000 feet in elevation. Add 1 minute to the processing time for every additional 1,000 feet.
• Check jar seals after 24 hours, and store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator for immediate use. Properly canned and sealed jars should maintain quality on the pantry shelf for 12-18 months.

CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Sort and wash grapes, and remove stems. Place them into a large kettle and crush them. Add water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and extract juice. Allow the juice to stand in a cool place overnight to prevent the formation of crystals in the jelly.
• Strain the juice through a double thickness of damp cheesecloth. Measure 4 cups of the juice into a large pot. Stir in the sugar. Quickly bring to a full rolling boil. Stir in pectin, and allow to boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and skim off foam. Pour into hot sterile jars, and process for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath.

GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Sterilize and dry jars for jelly, and set side. I like to use my dishwasher. New lids are recommended for best results.
• Combine grape juice and pectin in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, and stir one minute at a rolling boil. Stir in sugar for a few minutes to completely dissolve. Remove from heat.
• Ladle the hot jelly into the jars, leaving 1/2 inch of space at the top. Wipe rims of jars with a clean dry cloth. Cover with a lid and ring to seal. Let stand 24 hours at room temperature, then refrigerate. Jelly may take up to a week to set. Once set, it is ready to serve. Store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks, once set. If canning for long term storage, process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes, or contact your local extension for processing times in your area.

GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Combine fruit and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, mashing occasionally with a potato masher, until fruit is very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to a fine sieve set over a heatproof bowl; let drain without pressing on fruit, 4 hours. Strain again through sieve lined with damp cheesecloth. Measure juice; you will have 3 to 4 cups.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot, bring juice to a boil. Add 3/4 cup sugar for each cup of juice. Add lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Return to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 12 minutes. To test if jelly is done, dip a large metal spoon in, lift it horizontally above pot, and let mixture drip back in. Jelly is done when mixture has thickened slightly and drops of it slide together off spoon in a sheet. (Temperature should register 221 degrees on a candy thermometer.) Skim foam from top.
• Ladle jelly into clean containers, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom. Let cool completely. Cover, label, and refrigerate up to 1 month, or freeze up to 1 year.