Back in August my in-laws gave me two large bags of Mustang Grapes, then a friend of Randy's gave me another even larger bag of Mustang Grapes. I spent 3 days cooking the juice out of them and put it in the freezer waiting for a nice cool or preferably cold day to make jelly. Today was a nice cool day, not a cold one but I figured since I was going to give some of the jelly as gifts in about 2 weeks, I had better get the jelly made. So sitting on my kitchen table are the first 24 jars, different sizes because I was using what I had. In the sink back in August ready to be picked thru, washed and cook.... One of the many piles of grapes in August ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) This is three batches and I still have three more batches to make tomorrow.... The first 24 jars from all those grapes ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) Since the juice is a really dark purple it was difficult to get a good photo of but the kitchen light behind this one gives an idea of what the most delicious jelly in the world looks like..... The color is really beautiful ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) And, if you are lucky, there is always a little more jelly than the jars will hold. That's when I taste test for quality control and these batches have a little bit of a tartness to them that is really delicious.
I don't think I've ever tasted grape jelly before, maybe once actually. My Mom used to make gooseberry jam when I was younger, so good!
Getting jelly with it!...lol This is a lot of fun hard work! I made strawberry before with great grandmother, we thought she had a secret recipe.....all along she has been using the the recipe on the pectin box...go figure! Hope everyone enjoys the jelly!
Now if only I too had some extra time on my hands - Then I'd also get busy doing similar stuff!!! But things being what they are, I know that if I do get it going, then I'd probably have to quit in the middle, (be it for one reason or another)... So not wanting to leave things half way, I decide to just not try anymore. Well, this is what being stuck in the rat race does to people like me... Fun activities like these are now a distant memory. However, full marks to Toni for making the best use of her time!
Yea That looks delicious My mouth is drooling. Loads of hard work - so many grapes and that being the first batch only. I will gladly come and help - I'll be the tester.
Mmmmm! The jelly looks so good! Way tastier than something from the grocery, I'll bet. Lucky people who receive it!
A friend's dad used to give me all sorts of fruit from his "mini" orchard... there were 3-4 varieties of grapes, peaches, pears, apples... and I can't remember what else. That's when I learned how to can. Haven't done so in YEARS though. Maybe I need to plant some fruit trees! The jelly looks scrumptious!
Jelly from the Mustang grapes is so much better than store bought from plain purple grapes. The only rival I know of is jelly made from the Sea Grapes that grow wild on the coast of south Florida. They also make great Wine but I haven't tried that yet. Any and all testers welcome, you won't be disappointed. Mustang Grapes have only been found, so far, in 5 southern states... east Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisana and Alabama. My in-laws pinned down some stems last summer hoping to get some rooted for me to transplant up here next spring or so. I also have some seeds I need to see if I can get germinated.
The Jelly is finished. 43 jars of all sizes are resting and setting up. I sampled each batch, that quality control thing again Last 19 jars ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )
Well done you! That is a great result. Cor blimey--you really do have the cupboard well stocked now, don't you. I was just amazed at what you showed.
All six batches are setting up really well and only one lid out of the 43 did not seal so it is in the refrigerator and will be gotten into for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sometime this weekend. I really enjoy making jelly and jam, not usually this many batches in two days but the juice had been in 5 containers in the freezer and I needed the space for the cinnamon bread I make for the family at christmas...I have at least 12 loaves to make in the next two weeks. S-H, I spent many years working and raising two daughters but now I am retired, my daughters are grown up and I now have time to do all the things I only dreamed about doing during that time. Since they all really like eating the jelly they know to leave me alone while it is being made too.
