A sweet Crab Apple and Chili Jelly recipe for you to enjoy!

The crab apples are ready for picking!

It's that time of year again.  There's a cool breeze that seems to be whispering "Fall is coming".  Leaves trickle to the ground one at a time; a prelude to the deluge we'll witness (here in New England) in October.  If you're lucky enough to have a crab apple tree, you can take advantage of the reappearance of these tiny red fruit.  Grab a basket and pick the crab apples!  You'll need three cups for this Crab Apple and Chili recipe. 

Sterilize your jars first by submersing them in boiling water.

The lids too!

You'll need:

3 cups of crab apples - chopped (remember to wash them first)
2 red chili peppers - chopped (wash them too, but leave the seeds in)
4 cups of water (I like bottled but tap is fine)
2 1/4 cups of sugar for every 2 cups of the juice you make
cheesecloth

Put crab apples, chilies and water into large saucepan.  With the lid on the pan, bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until the crab apples become soft and pulpy.

The crab apples begin to get mushy or pulpy.

  Line a strainer with cheesecloth and press the juice mixture through, straining off the apple and chili mixture; leaving you with juice.  Leave this to strain for several hours.  You may discard the apple and chili pulp.

I like to use a double layer of cheesecloth.

When you have two cups of juice, combine it and the sugar and slowly bring to a boil.  You'll need to stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar.  After it has come to a hard boil, remove from the heat and skim off the foam.  Put it back on the stove and bring to a rolling boil that you can not stir down.

Stir the mixture occasionally.

The jars are filled.

Remove from the heat and skim the mixture once more.  Ladle the jelly into your prepared jars.  Be careful; this mixture is hot!  You may add a small chili to the jar if you'd like.  I prefer clear jelly.

Beautiful color!

Make sure lids and rims are tightened.

Enter this in your local Grange fair!

Let cool.  This makes a wonderful gift and will last for approximately four weeks in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!