jelly making day.

We have a happy crabapple tree that produces lots of tart little apples that make delicious jelly.  I am recording step by step instructions, with pictures for juicing. 

Rinse crabapples.

Chop crabapples, leaving 

stems, seeds, and skin on.

Fill pot and cover with water.  Bring to a rolling boil and then simmer for an hour.  Drain in colander catching juice in a large bowl, separating crabapples from juice.  

 Throw apple remains away.

Pour juice through thin cotton cloth to catch tiny residue.  There is probably a more proper cloth to use.  This is what I had on hand.  My towel is actually very clean, the center spot is the residue from the crabapple juice.  Also, I was alone and had to improvise, hence the large office clips.

Since I juiced the crabapples at night, and planned to make jelly the next day, I allowed the juice to cool, before refrigerating. 

crabapple jelly recipe

7 cups prepared crabapple juice

1 box of sure-jell 

9 cups of sugar 

sanitized jelly jars with lids

1.  Prepare fruit and juice.

2.  Measure exact amount of juice into large saucepan.  

3.  Measure exact amount of sugar in a separate bowl.

4.  Stir one box of Sure-Jell into juice.  Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.

5.  Stir in sugar quickly.  Return to full rolling and boil exactly one minute, stir constantly.  Remove from heat, skim off any foam.

6.  Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of the tops.  Wipe jar rims and threads.  Cover with two-piece lids.  Secure tightly, and turn upside down on counter (lined with a towel).  Leave upside down for 20 minutes.  Flip right side up and wait for lids to "pop".  After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger.  If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.

Let stand at room temp for 24 hours.  Store unopened jars of jelly in cool, dry, dark place up to one year.  Refrigerate open jelly up to three weeks.

* For the time being, I am enjoying the light amber glow of the jelly jars on my kitchen windowsill.