Jalepeno Jelly

If you haven’t yet tried jalepeno jelly, you my friend, have not lived. I tried some on a dare last Christmas at a work party. One of the doctor’s brought it, served it on a plate with a softened block of cream cheese and crackers.

I was totally weirded out. But when he described the dish as salty, sweet, and hot all at the same time, he sold me.

I LOVE foods that have all 3 of these combined!!!

And lets just say, that when you eat A LOT….as in the whole jar…..you’ll find- no never mind, this is a food blog. Just don’t eat the whole jar in one day, okay?

So, this is totally available in any supermarket (in the jelly section), they also carry habenero and other hot pepper type jellies, but you know how I like to make my own….so this year I have 4 jars for Christmas parties, all locally grown and organic jalepeno jelly.

Jalepeno Jelly

7-8 jalepenos, mostly seeded (depends on your heat tolerance)
2 green pepprs, roughly chopped, seeded
5 c. sugar
1 c. apple cider vinegar
2 (30z.) pouches liquid fruit pectin
green food coloring

Remember to wear gloves when seeding the jalepenos! I just got this new seeding tool that scrapes ‘em out really easy. Ahh, how I love kitchen accessories.

Throw all peppers into a food processor and puree.

Then mix peppers, sugar, and vinegar into a large saucepan. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Let cool. If you don’t want to add the food coloring, it will be sort-of this color: scary olive drab/vomit color (see below). So, what I’m saying is, it is more appetizing being a different green. Think: emerald, not peridot. Right Mom?

Next add pectin (its this weird gel that makes it solidify), mix well and boil hard for 1 minute. Stir in food coloring at the end of the minute. Work quickly on this next step because a film will try to form. And if it does, just scrap it off.

Pour into hot sterile jars, cover with sterile lids, and seal in a hot/boiling water bath for 5-10 minutes. You want the water to just cover the jars.

(and I sterilize the jars by rinsing and microwaving for 3 minutes, the lids just bring to a boil in a saucepan. Remember, you can’t microwave metal

This made 4 – 1/2 pint jars. Now go admire that emerald green color next to a window. Then store these away for Christmas parties- you’ll need ‘em!

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