Crab Apple Hot Pepper Jelly Recipes

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.

HOT-PEPPER JELLY

Steps:

• Place a few small plates in freezer. Combine apples and 2 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, mashing occasionally with a potato masher, until fruit is very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer fruit to a fine sieve set over a heatproof bowl; let drain without pressing on fruit, 4 hours. Strain again through sieve lined with damp cheesecloth. (You should have 2 cups.)
• In a saucepan, bring juice, vinegar, salt, bell pepper, and hot pepper to a boil. Add sugar; return to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook, stirring, 11 minutes. Turn off heat. Place a small spoonful of jelly on a chilled plate; return to freezer 1 minute. Remove and push your finger through mixture; if it wrinkles, it is done. If not, return to a boil for 1 to 2 minutes, then check again. (Or cook until a thermometer registers 221 degrees.) Skim foam from top.
• Ladle into clean containers, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom; let cool completely. Cover, label, and refrigerate up to 1 month, or freeze up to 1 year.