Quebecs Spiced Crabapple Jelly Recipes

MARY WYNNE'S CRABAPPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Remove stems and blossom ends from crabapples, and cut into quarters. Place them in a large stainless steel or other non-reactive pot or saucepan. Add enough water to be able to see, but no so much that the crabapples are floating. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. The apples should soften and change color.
• Strain the apples and juice through 2 or 3 layers of cheese cloth. You should have at least 4 cups of juice. Discard pulp, and pour the juice back into the pan. Bring to a simmer, and let cook for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that comes to the top. Next, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Continue cooking at a low boil until the temperature reaches 220 to 222 degrees F (108 to 110 C). Remove from heat.
• Pour the jelly into sterile small decorative jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process in a hot water bath to seal.

SURE.JELL APPLE OR CRAB APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Remove stems and blossom ends from unpeeled apples. Core apples; cut into small pieces. Place in large saucepan; add water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 min., stirring occasionally. Crush cooked apples; cover and simmer 5 min. Place three layers of damp cheesecloth or a jelly bag in large bowl. Pour prepared fruit into cheesecloth. Tie cheesecloth closed; hang and let drip into bowl until dripping stops. Press gently. Measure exactly 7 cups prepared juice into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. (If needed, add up to 1/2 cup water for exact measure.)
• Stir pectin into juice in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 5 min. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

CRAB-APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash and quarter apples; place in a 6-quart saucepan. Add 6 cups water; place over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cook until very soft, 45 to 60 minutes; remove from heat. Pour into a bowl through a fine mesh strainer lined with two layers of damp cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth; tie into a bundle. Suspend from a wooden-spoon handle set over bowl; drain, without pressing solids, 1 hour, to yield about 4 cups juice.
• Place juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes; skim foam. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Clip on a candy thermometer; cook until the temperature reaches 220 degrees, skimming foam. Pour into jars, let cool, and keep refrigerated for up to 6 months.

SPICED CRABAPPLES

Steps:

• Combine sugar, water and vinegar in a large stainless or enamel saucpan.
• Break up cinnamon and tie up with allspice and cloves in a large square of cheesecloth and add to pan.
• Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes.
• Add prepared crabapples and return pan to a boil, reduce heat and boil GENTLY for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove spice bag.
• Pack into clean hot jars to 3/4 inch from rim and add boiling syrup to cover, leaving 1/2 inch head space.
• Do the jar thing.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

CRABAPPLE HOT PEPPER JELLY

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine crabapples with water.
• Cover and bring slowly to simmer.
• Cook until crabapples are very soft.
• Pour into a colander lined with a square of dampened cheesecloth and placed over a deep bowl.
• Weight down with a saucer and heavy can.
• Let stand until dripping stops.
• Discard pulp.
• Pour collected juice into a liquid measure.
• Add enough vinegar to make 3 cups.
• Combine in a saucepan with sugar.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Add peppers, then boil briskly for 8 to 10 minutes or until set.
• Stir for 7 minutes to prevent floating peppers.
• Pour jelly into hot, sterilized 8-ounce canning jars.
• Seal with two-piece canning lids.
• Let cool, then refrigerate.
• For long-term unrefrigerated storage, process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes immediately after sealing jars.
• NOTE: To test for set, remove pan from heat.
• Dip a cold metal spoon into the liquid and hold well above the steam.
• Turn spoon sideways and let liquid run off.
• When it forms two drops that run together and drip from edge of spoon, jelling point has been reached.