Making jelly is one of the easiest things I have ever done for food storage and you can use it in every meal. You can use jelly for breakfast on toast, or any bread, or you can use it making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch or you can use jelly as a glaze for meats for dinner. Today I made spearmint jelly.
To make Spearmint jelly you will need :
3 cups of spearmint leaves
4 cups of sugar
1 box fruit pectin
2-3 drops green food color ( optional)
Water
Canning jars and lids.
Rinse spearmint leaves in cold water, gently.
In a large cooking pot bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil, add spearmint leaves and mash/ bruise to release the natural oils. Cover and let set for several hours to make its own tea.
Clean you jars and lids according to the manufacturers directions.
Measure sugar and put into a bowl, set aside.
Strain 4 cups of prepared spearmint tea in a large cooking pot ( I use stainless steel) and add food color and one box of fruit pectin, bring to a rolling boil.
Add sugar and stir till melted, bring mixture to a rolling boil that you cannot stir down and cook for one minute.
Remove from heat and carefully ladle into jars.
Wipe rim of jars clean and apply lids.
Process for 10 minutes in a hot water bath.
Makes seven 1/2 pints.
Spearmint is a plant that grows so nicely here in Central Alabama, we have a long growing season and it thrives with little care. I started out with a small plant and now its covered the entire bed that I put it in and is creeping into the grass. I really don`t mind this invasive plant because I can cook with it so many ways or add it to drinks. Plus when the lawn mower runs over it the smell lingers for a good long time. I have been told it can be used as rodent control but have not tested this out, yet.
By Andria Perry
Photos by Andria Perry
Never had spearmint jelly, I bet it tastes magnificent! We have either peppermint or spearmint, I can't tell which is which!
ReplyDeleteIt does, it taste like Christmas to me :)
DeleteI have never had or made spearmint jelly but it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteMe either but I am glad I tried it, its worth the time to make.
DeleteAm saving this post for later. My department isn't big enough yet.
ReplyDelete:) its sooooo good!
DeleteSpearmint jelly looks good. I tend to stay away from another mint. As growing up my father was allergic. Something I tend to still avoid for no reason at all.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of my dad too, because I mowed his grass and I always smelled it there. My dad passed and I miss him.
DeleteHave not heard of spearmint jelly _ I must be sheltered!
ReplyDeleteYou can make jelly from any mint :)
DeleteIn all the years I grew mint, I never made mint jelly! What a wonderful way to use up this very prolific herb!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever made it without the colouring, Andria? Does it look appetizing in its natural state?
No I have not because that color is not appealing.
Delete