Crabapple Jelly Delight
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 5 cups
Indulge your taste buds with a burst of fruity sweetness by crafting your very own Crabapple Jelly, a delightful concoction that combines the essence of apples with a hint of cinnamon and the freshness of lemon basil. This easy-to-follow recipe from lovewithrecipes.com promises to elevate your culinary skills and fill your pantry with jars of vibrant, homemade jelly.
Ingredients:
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bunch of lemon basil
- 3 cups of crabapples, washed and stems removed
- Sugar
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 671.4
- Fat: 0.8g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 2.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 174.3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 119.9g
- Protein: 1.1g
Instructions:
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Prepare the Crabapples:
- Begin by thoroughly washing the crabapples and removing the stem and blossom ends, ensuring a clean and fresh base for your jelly.
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Simmer with Fragrance:
- In a large stainless steel or ceramic pot, cover the crabapples with water. Introduce a delightful aromatic touch by adding sprigs of cinnamon or lemon basil to the mix.
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Soft Simmering:
- Let the mixture simmer gently until the crabapples become soft, releasing their natural flavors into the liquid.
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Extract the Essence:
- Drain the juice over a pan, using a jelly bag or clean dish towel to capture the essence of the crabapples. This step ensures a concentrated and pure base for your jelly.
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Boil the Jewel-Toned Juice:
- In a very large stainless steel or ceramic pot, bring 4 cups of the drained juice to a boil. If needed, add water to make up 4 cups. Watch as the liquid transforms into a jewel-toned elixir.
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Sweet Symphony:
- Gradually add sugar to the boiling juice, allowing the mixture to reach the sheeting stage. You’ll know it’s ready when the drips sheet together on the side of a stainless steel spoon. Don’t forget to skim off any impurities that rise to the surface.
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Jar It Up:
- Pour your luscious, ruby-red jelly into sterilized jelly jars. The vibrant color and rich aroma will make your kitchen come alive.
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Seal with Care:
- Skim off any remaining surface impurities, then seal the jars with two thin layers of paraffin. Ensure that the second layer creates a tight seal, preserving the freshness by securing the jar to the glass edges.
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Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor:
- Revel in the satisfaction of creating approximately 5 cups of bright red, homemade crabapple jelly. Spread it on toast, use it as a glaze, or share it with friends and family to spread the joy of this delightful treat.
This Crabapple Jelly recipe offers a journey of flavors, from the warmth of cinnamon to the bright notes of lemon basil, all encapsulated in the sweet embrace of crabapples. Elevate your culinary experience with this easy and rewarding homemade jelly that captures the essence of seasonal fruits.
