What to do when you have too many grapes? Make jelly!
We gave away tons of grapes, even to the local food bank. We even made sorbet, and some just had to be discarded.
So, it was time to take action and make jelly!
A basket of grapes like this only yields about 8 pints of jelly.
After washing and picking through the grapes, stemming them and discarding the bad ones, we processed them minimally in a food processor. Just enough to crush them.
They are then cooked for about ten minutes until all the juice is released.
Then strained through a cheese cloth strainer. The goal is to gather 5 cups of pure grape juice.
We boiled the 5 cups of grape juice, 7 cups of sugar and one package of pectin for one minute. This should be a hard boil!
The hot jelly is then poured in to warm, sterilized pint jars and sealed, being careful not to tighten the rings too tight.
They then are put in a processor to boil for 5 minutes. This kills any bacteria and also seals the lids. Lift out with tongs and let cool for 24 hours.
You know the lids are sealed when the lids are sucked down, not popping up and down.
Luckily, all mine sealed tight. The jelly will last up to a year in a cool dark place.
We ended up with 24 pints of grape jelly!
They will make perfect little gifts for the holidays for friends and family.
Just tie on a fabric scarf with twine!
Homegrown in Asti, and handmade with love! What could be better?
For a detailed tutorial on how to make grape jelly click here.
I'm joining the Foodie Friday party at Designs by Gollum.
There is nothing like homegrown grapes and homemade jelly. I would love to have a few of these in my pantry, of course they would go quickly!
ReplyDeleteOh, I bet that is the best jelly ever! Nothing is better than home made and fresh anything. Yum! What a great gift too. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteSherry
Homemade jelly is so special but you even grew the grapes! Your family and friends are blessed to receive your gifts.
ReplyDeleteI know you must have a great sense of accomplishment.
It looks yummy! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Delores,
ReplyDeletethat is a gorgeous idea to make jelly. Because we have always to many grapes to eat them fresh. And thank you for this wonderful link with lots of recipes, too. I will think of you when I enjoy my own grape jelly!
Greetings, Johanna
Delores- I can remember coming home from school in the Fall and smelling grape jelly processing. This post reminds me so much of that special, sweet time. Thanks for the memory stirrer! Hugs- Diana
ReplyDeleteMMmmmmmm sounds so good... I made quite a bit of Strawberry and a lot of peach jam this year... But I LOVE grape! You got quite a lot of jars from that batch...
ReplyDeleteNice photos!
RaineyGhoul!
I'm so impressed that you can even make a jar of jelly look like a work of art! :-) That looks wonderfully beautiful and delicious and what a great idea for gifts. I was thinking about trying my hand at homemade lemon curd to give to neighbors this year. We'll see if they want to move away afterwards or not! I also wanted to tell you how incredibly gorgeous your centerpiece was in the previous post! I got all sorts of great ideas from it that I can't wait to incorporate into my own decor. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Dearest Delores,
ReplyDeleteVery nice home grown product and a great idea to make grape jelly out of them!
Very well documented on photo...
Enjoy these special Asti gifts.
Sending you still sunshine from Georgia,
MariettesBacktoBasics
Okay after reading your post and how easy you make it look I am convinced. I think I know have the courage to give this a try with my next year's crop. Enjoy all of this delightful sweetness.
ReplyDelete~jermaine
Oh! This brings back so many memories of grape jelly making as a kid! Nothing like homemade jelly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post....and man, could I go for a handful of those grapes!
love the pic of your husband basket in hand~ i have never made grape jelly, but i do love harvesting from the garden to the kitchen, so enjoyable to share as gifts.
ReplyDeleteHomemade jelly, delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteI need a bit of that on some toast about now. Your friends and family will be happy to get a jar of that.
ReplyDeleteOh My Delores, this looks fabulous. Is it possible to make it with LESS sugar???
ReplyDeleteOh Delores! That means you had enough to send one of those jars to me, right? LOL! Thanks so much for checking in over at my blog, I always love having you ... and I'm only kinda kidding about the jelly! :)
ReplyDeleteYour homemade jelly looks delicious. You have made it look like something I just might attempt. I have made strawberry jam but never grape jelly. Your pictures are great and I especially like the picture of your husband holding the grape bounty.
ReplyDeleteHomemade grape jelly...yumm!!
ReplyDeleteThat grape jelly looks yummy! There is nothing better than homemade jams and jellies. Perfect gift for the holidays! Love the fabric with the twine.
ReplyDeleteWe LOVED ours - it was delish! Thanks Mom!
ReplyDelete