Apple Jelly Jam: July 2012

Apple Jelly Jam

How to make:

4 cups apple juice (about 3 pounds apples and 3 cups water)
2 tablespoons strained lemon juice, if desired
3 cups sugar

Yield: About 4 or 5 half-pint jars

Please read using boil water canners before beginning. If this is your first time canning, it is recommended that you read principles of home canning.

Procedure: Sterilize canning jars and prepare two-piece canning lids according to manufacturer's directions.

To prepare juice. Select about one-fourth underripe and three-fourths fully ripe tart apples. Sort, wash, and remove stem and blossom ends; do not pare or core. Cut apples into small pieces. Add water, cover, and bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until apples are soft. Extract juice.

To make jelly. Measure apple juice into a kettle. Add lemon juice and sugar and stir well. Boil over high heat to 8 degrees F. above the boiling point of water, or until jelly mixture sheets from a spoon. Remove from heat; skim off foam quickly.

Pour hot jelly immediately into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process in a Boiling Water Canner.