Spiced Pomegranate Apple Jelly Recipes

SPICED APPLE JELLY RECIPE (NO ADDED PECTIN)

Steps:

• Wash the apples with plain water, remove any bad spots, and roughly chop into pieces. Use a kitchen scale to weigh out 3 pounds.
• Add the prepared fruit to a large saucepan, and cover with water, about 3 cups. Add the spices and stir to combine.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce to a simmer over low heat. Simmer until the skins are soft and the juices are released.
• Gently mash the apples with a potato masher and continue simmering over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer low and slow because excess heat can destroy the natural pectin.
• Strain the juice through a damp jelly bag or double layers of cheesecloth. Allow the apples to strain for several hours, or overnight. If you want clear jelly, do not squeeze the bag. Discard solids.
• Wash your jars, lids, screw bands, and canning tools in hot soapy water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all suds. Set aside to air dry on a clean kitchen towel.
• Place the jar rack into water bath canner, place jars in the canner, and add water to cover.
• Bring the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and keep the jars hot until you are ready to fill them.
• Measure out 4 cups of the apple juice and pour into a saucepan. Add the sugar and lemon juice and stir to dissolve.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until jelly stage.
• Jelly stage is achieved once the temperature reaches 220˚F, when the liquid forms a sheet that hangs off the edge of the spoon, and when the mixture gels on a cool plate and doesn't run when tipped.
• Spread a kitchen towel on the counter. Use your jar lifter to remove a jar from the canner, drain, and place on the towel. Keep the remaining jars in the canner so they stay hot.
• Use your canning ladle and funnel and add the hot jelly to the warm jar leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Swirl your bubble popper through the jars to release air bubbles. Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp towel.
• Center a lid on the jar, and screw on the band until it is fingertip tight. Use the jar lifter to place the jar back into the canner, and repeat with the remaining jars. Try to leave some space in between the jars.
• Once all the jars are in canner, adjust the water level to two inches above the jar tops.
• Cover the canner and bring to boil over high heat. Once water boils vigorously, continue boiling for 10 minutes at altitudes of less than 6,000 ft. (adjust processing time for your altitude if necessary - see notes below).
• When processing time is complete, turn off heat and allow the canner to cool down and settle for about 5 minutes.
• Spread a kitchen towel on the counter, and remove the cover by tilting lid away from you so that steam does not burn your face.
• Use the jar lifter to lift jars carefully from canner and place on the towel. Keep the jars upright, and don't tighten bands or check the seals yet. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24-hours to cool.
• After the jars have cooled for at least 12 hours, check to be sure jar lids have sealed by pushing on the center of the lid. The lid should not pop up. If the lid flexes up and down, it did not seal. Refrigerate the jar and use up within a few weeks.
• Remove the screw on bands and wash the jars. Label, date, and store your jars in a cool, dark place. Use within 12 to 18 months. Refrigerate the jelly once opened and consume within 3 weeks. Yields about 6 half-pint jars.

SPICED POMEGRANATE APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Cut each apple into 8 pieces (do not core or seed).
• Combine apples and water and spices in heavy, medium saucepan and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer until apples are very tender, about 35 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover and let stand 8 hours.
• Line large sieve with triple thickness of dampened cheesecloth; set over large bowl.
• Pour apple mixture into sieve and let drain overnight.
• Measure apple juice and transfer to heavy, medium saucepan.
• Add ¾ cup sugar for each 1 cup of juice.
• Mix in lemon juice.
• Cook over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• Increase heat and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add grenadine.
• Cook about 8 minutes longer.
• Check the jelly this point.
• Drop 1 tblsp of jelly onto a chilled saucer and put in freezer.
• If it wrinkles when pushed after 2 minutes of cooling, then it is done.
• Skim off foam from surface of jelly.
• Spoon jelly into hot, sterilized jars and wipe rim clean.
• Seal tightly.
• Cool.
• Refrigerate up to 3 months.

POMEGRANATE JELLY

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine pomegranate juice and pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir for 2 minutes., Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot liquid into six hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Cut the apples into 1-inch pieces without peeling or coring, but discard any damaged or spoiled spots.
• Place the apples in a large nonreactive pot and pour in 8 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook without stirring until the apples soften, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Remove from the heat. Set a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a muslin bag over another large pot, and pour the contents of the pot into the sieve. Do not press on the apples to prevent the jelly from becoming cloudy. You should have at least 7 cups of juice. Some apple varieties absorb more water and may need 2 to 8 hours for the juice to naturally strain out. If that's the case, refrigerate the pot.
• Place a small plate in the freezer to use for testing the setting point of the jelly. Set the pot with the juice over medium-high heat. (Discard the fruit.) Add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, skimming and discarding any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid reduces by about three-quarters and a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 225 degrees, 40 to 50 minutes. To test for doneness, spoon a small amount of liquid onto the cold plate from the freezer and return to the freezer to cool completely, about 2 minutes. Drag a spoon through the jelly. The setting point has been reached if it wrinkles and the wrinkles hold their shape. If they don't, continue to cook the jelly and test every few minutes on the cold plate.
• Once the jelly is done cooking, add the salt, stir to dissolve and adjust with more lemon juice, if needed, for a nice balance of sweet and tart with a floral taste. Ladle the hot liquid into clean, sanitized jars, screw on the lids and follow steps to can, or allow to cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

SPICED APPLE JELLY FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Cook apple peelings/cores and spices in water barely to cover for 10-15 minutes over medium heat.
• Strain through jelly bag or cheesecloth.
• There should be from 2 1/2 to 3 cups juice.
• Add sugar and cook until juice sheets from spoon.
• Skim away froth 3-4 times during cooking.
• Pour into hot sterilized jars, and seal.
• Makes about four 1/2 pint jars.