Honey Sweetened Concord Grape Jelly Recipes

HONEY SWEETENED CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Remove the grapes from the stems and wash in plain water.
• Extract the juice by combining the fruit and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce to a simmer (180˚F) over low heat.
• Gently mash the grapes with the back of a spoon or potato masher to release their juices and continue simmering over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Strain the fruit through a damp jelly bag or double layers of cheesecloth for several hours. Don't squeeze the bag if you want clear jelly.
• Discard the solids and refrigerate the juice overnight to allow the sediment and crystals to settle.
• Prepare your calcium water by combining 1/2 teaspoon calcium powder (from the small packet in the Pomona's pectin box) with 1/2 cup water in a jar with a lid. Shake well to combine. Set aside.
• You will only need 4 teaspoons of calcium water for this recipe. Store extra in the refrigerator for other canning projects.
• Wash your jars, lids, 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, set the jars on the rack, and add water to cover the jars.
• Bring the canner to a simmer (180˚F) for 10 minutes, and keep the jars hot until you are ready to fill them.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the honey or sugar with the pectin powder. Set aside.
• Remove the grape juice from the refrigerator without disturbing the settlement at the bottom.
• Strain the juice again through a jelly bag or double layers of cheesecloth to remove the crystals.
• Carefully pour the grape juice through the cheesecloth and into a bowl. Stop when you see the sediment reach the lip of the container. The jelly bag or cheesecloth will catch the crystals.
• Measure out 4 cups of the juice into a large sauce pan. Add lemon juice, calcium water, and stir to mix well. Bring juice to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add the pectin-honey mixture and stir to dissolve. Continue stirring until the jelly comes back to a boil. Once it boils, remove from heat and skim off foam.
• 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 cherry jam 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 transfer the jars from the canner to the towel.
• Don't tighten bands or check the seals yet. Let the jars sit undisturbed for 12 to 24-hours to cool.
• After the jars cool 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 and date the jars. Store your jars in a cool, dark place and use within 12 months. Refrigerate once opened and consume within 3 weeks. Yields about 4 to 5 half-pint jars.

CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Sort and wash grapes, and remove stems. Place them into a large kettle and crush them. Add water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and extract juice. Allow the juice to stand in a cool place overnight to prevent the formation of crystals in the jelly.
• Strain the juice through a double thickness of damp cheesecloth. Measure 4 cups of the juice into a large pot. Stir in the sugar. Quickly bring to a full rolling boil. Stir in pectin, and allow to boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and skim off foam. Pour into hot sterile jars, and process for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath.

CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine grape juice, lemon juice, butter, and pectin. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Keep stirring and bring mixture to a rolling boil and boil hard for no longer than 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim foam if necessary. Ladle hot jelly into hot sterilized jars leaving 1/4-inch head space. Adjust 2-piece caps. Process 5 minutes in hot boiling water canner.

SURE.JELL® CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Stem and crush grapes thoroughly, 1 layer at a time. Place in large saucepan; add water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 min., stirring occasionally. Place 3 layers of damp cheesecloth or jelly bag in large bowl. Pour prepared fruit into cheesecloth. Tie cheesecloth closed; hang and let drip into bowl until dripping stops. Press gently. Measure exactly 1-1/4 qt. (5 cups) prepared juice into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot.
• Stir pectin into juice in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 5 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)