Mary Wynnes Crabapple Jelly Food

MARY WYNNE'S CRABAPPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Remove stems and blossom ends from crabapples, and cut into quarters. Place them in a large stainless steel or other non-reactive pot or saucepan. Add enough water to be able to see, but no so much that the crabapples are floating. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. The apples should soften and change color.
• Strain the apples and juice through 2 or 3 layers of cheese cloth. You should have at least 4 cups of juice. Discard pulp, and pour the juice back into the pan. Bring to a simmer, and let cook for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that comes to the top. Next, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Continue cooking at a low boil until the temperature reaches 220 to 222 degrees F (108 to 110 C). Remove from heat.
• Pour the jelly into sterile small decorative jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process in a hot water bath to seal.

CRAB-APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash and quarter apples; place in a 6-quart saucepan. Add 6 cups water; place over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cook until very soft, 45 to 60 minutes; remove from heat. Pour into a bowl through a fine mesh strainer lined with two layers of damp cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth; tie into a bundle. Suspend from a wooden-spoon handle set over bowl; drain, without pressing solids, 1 hour, to yield about 4 cups juice.
• Place juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes; skim foam. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Clip on a candy thermometer; cook until the temperature reaches 220 degrees, skimming foam. Pour into jars, let cool, and keep refrigerated for up to 6 months.

CRAB APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash the apples, removing any bruised fruit. Put in a saucepan, fill with water to just cover the apples.
• Bring to the boil and simmer until the fruit is soft (about 30 minutes).
• Pour the pulp into a jelly bag or several layers of muslin and let drip overnight into a pan. Do NOT squeeze the bag or it will make the juice cloudy.
• The next day, measure the juice, and add sugar in the ratio of 10 parts juice to 7 of sugar. Add some lemon juice, then bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• Keep at a rolling boil for 40 minutes, skimming off the froth. To test the set, chill a dessertspoon in the refrigerator.
• When the jelly is set, it will solidify on the back of the spoon. Pour into warm, sterilised preserving jars and tightly seal while still slightly warm. Store in a cool dark place.

CRAB APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash the crab apples. Remove the stalks and cut off the bottom and any bad parts.
• Put the crab apples in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for approximately half an hour.
• Strain the pulp. Crab apple jelly is normally strained through muslin, which results in a clear jelly and leave it overnight.
• Measure the juice and add the sugar. To every 4 cups of juice add 3 cups of sugar. Squeeze the lemon and add to the juice and sugar. Boil the jelly. Skim off any white froth that forms on the surface - this is the stuff that makes the jelly cloudy - so the more you can get rid of, the clearer your jelly will be.
• Once the jelly starts the thicken, test it every couple of minutes on the back of a cold spoon. If it sets, it's ready. Pour into sterilised jars and seal.
• Tightly seal while still slightly warm. Store in a cool, dark and dry place.
• 250g or 8.oz will make approximately 200ml, 6.7 fl oz of jelly).