Friday, May 16, 2014

Making Violet Jelly!

So my cousin/BFF, otherwise known as "City Mouse" came to visit earlier this week.  She has never canned before (and is all up for new experiences!)  I had already picked and made both violet and dandelion infusions as I've actually had these recipes waiting in the "drafts" of my blog for some time (Apparently, I wrote down the instructions for this one in 2010)  So without further delay.....


Recipe for Violet Jelly

 Yield: About 2 pints 
Once you've picked enough violet flowers, making this jelly could not be simpler. I got four 1/2 pint jars which I canned (plus a little extra that went straight into the refrigerator) out of this recipe.

Ingredients:

*2 cups fresh violet flower petals (no stems)- make sure you gather them from an area which has not been sprayed with chemicals (and where your dogs don't do their business)
*2 cups water
*1/4 cup bottled lemon juice
*one (1.75 oz) package pectin
*2 cups sugar

Directions:

1. Rinse and drain flower petals, and place in heat-proof glass bowl. Bring water to a boil and pour over petals. Cover and allow to steep overnight, or for up to 24 hours.
2. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve: use a wooden spoon to press all the liquid from the plant material (compost or discard the flowers when you're through).  If not using it right away, you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.  The "flower tea" is a gorgeous purple, but wait...

3. Combine strained liquid with lemon juice in the saucepan (notice how it turns pink!!)


 Then whisk in the pectin and the sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil, whisking to ensure the sugar and pectin dissolve thoroughly, then turn heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes (or until the jelly has reduced a bit and thickened).

4. Skim off any foam and then ladle into your clean, hot and sterile jars, leaving 1/8″ head space. Wipe lids and screw on the the rings, then process in a hot-water bath for 10 minutes.
5. Remove jars and allow to cool for 24 hours on the counter.


And there in the back is another batch waiting to be done!

5 comments:

Elizabeth K. said...

Interesting! What does it taste like?

kelly said...

and how do you use it?? on toast??
it sure is beautiful!!! good job!!

Niki said...

That was so much fun.
And great pictures {wink}

Mindy said...

So beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I think that sounds like something you just have to try. I can imagine its difficult to describe! It sure does look pretty!