If you plan on making a lot of jelly I recommend buying a fruit
steamer. This will extract the juice for you and the finished product is
ready to be made into jelly.
This really cuts down on the work. No need to peel or core apples, just wash,
cut them up and put into steamer.
Apple jelly recipe
(buy about 5 lb. apples or crab apples)
1 box of fruit pectin
1/2 tsp butter or margarine
5 cups water
9 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl
Brain boiling water canner half full with water to a simmer. Wash jars and
screw bands in hot soapy water and rinse. Place flat lids into simmering
water in pan. Let stand until ready to use.
Wash apples, remove stems and
blossom ends. Core apples and cut into small pieces. No need to peel.
Place into a large pot and add water. Bring to boil then reduce heat to
low. Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover and simmer an
additional 5 minutes. Place three layers of damp cheesecloth or a jelly
bag into a large bowl and pour prepared apples into cheesecloth. Tie closed and
hang and let drip into bowl until juice stops dripping. (Placing a large
strainer over a bowl and putting cheesecloth into this works very well for
me) Press gently after dripping stops, remove cheesecloth. Measure 7 cups
juice into a 6-8 quart pot. Up to 1/2 cup water may be added to make exact
measurement.
Stir pectin into juice in pan. Add butter to reduce foaming and
bring mixture to a full rolling boil on high heat, stirring constantly.
Stir in sugar and return to a full boil and boil for exactly 1 minute stirring
constantly. Remove from heat and stir and skim for 2-3 minutes with a
metal spoon.
Ladle immediately into prepared jars to within 1/8 in of top.
Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two piece lids. Screw bands
tightly. Place jars into canner and process 5 minutes. (Water must cover
jars 1-2 inches) Remove and place on a towel in a draft free location to
cool. After jars are cool check to see if all are sealed. (Press middle of
lids with finger. If lid springs back, jar is not sealed and must be refrigerated)
