Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I'll never go back to store bought!
Earlier in the season, I had a hard time finding canning jars that didn't break the bank. The only place I could find canning jars sold them for $1.99 a jar. Ouch. So when we went up to the family farm, my father-in-law told us that we could buy jars from the Amish for a great price. They buy in bulk so they get amazing prices. We were able to buy 4 cases of canning jars from them at $6.50 a case. Much better than $1.99 / jar!
So when we got home from our long trip, the next day, I was so excited to start making grape jelly! We had processed all these concord grapes in jars at the farm. I emptied out the grapes onto a strainer and smooshed the grapes with a spoon. Since we had already can processed these grapes in a hot water bath already, the juice flowed pretty easily.
Once we had 5 cups of liquid, we were ready to start making the jelly.
In the pot went the 5 cups of grape juice, and 1 box of pectin. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, add 4 cups of granulated sugar. Mix to dissolve sugar and bring back to a boil. Once it's boiling, time for 1 minute then turn off the burner.
Ladle the hot liquid into sterilized canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top. I was able to fill 3 1/2 pint jars. Process the jars in a boiling hot water bath for 6 minutes. Remove the jars from the boiling water and let it cool to room temperature.
The hubs and I had to break into a jar the next morning at breakfast. And let me just tell you, BEST GRAPE JELLY ever! The taste was so grape concentrated and unbelievably incredible. And the fact that it only had 3 ingredients made me smile. This has definitely ruined me for life, I can NEVER go back to store bought jelly EVER AGAIN. Even though this was a lot of work to process the 4 bushels of grapes at the family farm, this jelly made it all worth it! I can't wait until our grapevines hurry up and grow! We have one concord grapevine in the backyard. The other 3 grapevines are Reliance Pink, Seedless Glenora, and Cayuga. Does anyone know, can you make jelly out of any type of grapes or does it have to be Concord?
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There's nothing better then homemade jelly & jam! I remember when my daughter was about 3 or 4. We went to a diner for breakfast after church. She wanted strawberry jam on her toast. I opened a packet and put it on. She took a bit and promptly spit it out! She had never eaten store bought jam before...and didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteThat jelly looks amazing! I've bought canning jars by the case from Walmart.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great find on the jars, and girlfriend, you can make jelly out of whatever grape your heart desires! Same with juice or wine, if you like the taste of a particular grape, there's nothing stopping you! Just like tomatoes! Looks delish!
ReplyDeleteVery nice jelly and that is a good price on the jars. Yes, you can make jelly out of any grapes. We have three different types (I can't remember their names) and have made good jelly from them before. Perhaps not as good as concord would make but still pretty darn good.
ReplyDeleteOooh that looks so good. I got a lot of second hand jars for free through freecycle and the swap shed at the dump here in Prince George. I see no reason why you can't make grape jelly out of other grapes. I'm sure it will work.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to make your own jelly! One of my friends makes juice from her concord grapes. The taste is incredible.
ReplyDeleteI think concord grape jelly is the best!
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked at the $1.99 price per jar! I buy mine at Wal-Mart or Ace Hardware, $6-8 a case. Even the grocery stores have them for not much more than that. In fact, I recently bought two cases at the grocers for under $6 each.
I was looking at grapes at the farmers market wondering if I should make some jelly, but not quite convinced.
ReplyDeleteWell, you convinced me! I'm going to make some this weekend.
That's high, even our dollar stores carry them down here in Mississippi for a decent price.
ReplyDeleteyuuuuummmmmm!! I bet it is so delicious. I haven't had grape jelly - probably since I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteHey, isn't there a trick for making meatballs in grape jelly in a crock pot? That would combine all my faves.
I've been seeing jars everywhere recently. They're usually hard to find. I guess maybe with the harvest season they come out? Around here, they're about $9 for a case. Container Store has some expensive but very beautiful ones - with the 1 piece lid. I like to get those for when I'm making gifts. The Amish market - a great idea!!!
I am just guessing here, but I would assume you could make jelly out of any grape. The color and flavor would be different but it would make for a tasty experiment!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE homemade grape jelly. It's so potently rich. I think I might even be so bold as to call it my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe jelly looks delish!
ReplyDelete$6.50 a case is a great price on jars. We usually pay around $10-11 per case. We could probably get them cheaper at Walmart but we're anti-Walmart and won't shop there...
OMGoodness! I know why you're addicted. When I lived in TN, I had friends who would can their own grape juice and they taught me how to can tomatoes. I made my own spaghetti sauce and lemme tell you: you have me ready to try canning again! There is just no taste like fresh and homemade.
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