Jams and Jellies
Homemade jams and jellies made from fresh fruits are one of summer's tastiest delights. Jams typically have a thicker consistency and contain mashed fruit. Jellies contain only fruit juice and do not have mashed fruit. Whichever you choose, enjoy the process of making homemade jams and jellies to enjoy long after summer ends.
Jelly Recipes
Make an unusual sparkling grape jelly. Stir together 10 cups sugar and 24 oz. grape juice concentrate in a large bowl. Add 4 cups lemony soda and stir the mixture well. Heat 1 cup water and two packages of fruit pectin in a saucepan until boiling. Boil one minute and then pour the hot pectin mixture into the fruit juice mixture. Allow to sit for three minutes. Stir again and then pour into jars or plastic containers. Leave approximately a half-inch of free space (called head space) at the tops of the containers for expansion. Place lids on the containers and allow the containers to sit at room temperature for one day. Freeze for long-term storage or refrigerate for up to three weeks.
Make an easy and delicious apple jelly. Stir together 3 cups apple juice and 5 1/4 cups sugar in a large bowl. Allow to sit for 10 minutes and stir twice during this time. Heat and stir 3/4 cup water and one package of fruit pectin in a saucepan until boiling. Boil and stir one minute and then pour the hot pectin mixture into the fruit juice mixture. Stir the mixture for three minutes and then pour into plastic containers. Leave a half-inch head space at the tops of the containers. Place lids on the containers and allow the containers to sit for one day at room temperature. Place in the freezer to store.
Jam Recipes
Combine your favorite fruits to make different jams that will delight the taste buds.
Gather 3 cups of fresh fruit and wash the fruit. Cut out stems and pits, if necessary. Peel the fruit as well. Place the fruit into a large bowl and use a potato masher to crush and mash the fruit. Mash the fruit so that it is lumpy or smooth, according to your desires. Add 5 cups sugar and mix well. Allow the fruit to sit for 20 minutes.
While the fruit is sitting, mix one package pectin and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Stir to dissolve the pectin and boil for one minute. Pour the pectin mixture into the fruit and stir for two minutes. Pour the jam into containers and leave a half-inch of head space at the tops of the containers. Place the lids on the containers and allow them to sit for one day at room temperature.
Keep the jam in the freezer for up to one year or in the refrigerator for three weeks.
Tags: then pour, containers allow, cups sugar, fruit juice, head space