Grape Jelly and Local Honey.

Over the summer my Momma and I took the time to make some wonderful grape jelly and grape juice from our own grapes, they are muskadine and have a wonderful tart flavor! Though canning might not be for every one it is for us. While I was growing up we would can everything from tomatoes to green beans. It was wonderful for us to get back to what we both love to do!

Jelly Canning Recipe

4 cups grape juice ( takes about 3 1/2 lbs. of grapes and 1/2 cup water)
7 cups sugar
1 pouch liquid pectin

Juice: Sort, wash, and remove stems from fully ripe grapes. Crush grapes, add water, cover, and bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 mins. Extract juice. To prevent formation of tartrate crystals in the jelly, let juice stand in a cool place overnight, then strain through 2 thicknesses of damp cheesecloth to remove crystals that have formed.

Jelly: Measure juice into a pot. Stir in the sugar. Place on high heat and, stirring constantly, bring quickly to full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Add the pectin and heat again to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat; skim off foam quickly. Pour into sterilized hot jars and seal.

* You will know that the jelly is ready to be put up on the shelves when the top cap doesn't pop.

We also were able to get some pepper vinegar made from the peppers Momma planted in her garden. There are jalapenos, banana peppers, and cherry bomb peppers in it. It is so easy to make. and looks amazing on the shelve!

Pepper Vinegar

5 to 10 peppers cut as to let the flavor release.
Quart Jars
Apple Cider Vinegar

Place peppers in jars. Boil Vinegar.Fill jars with hot vinegar. Seal. Allow to sit on the shelve for at least 3 months before use so that the flavor can fully mature.

On a final note for today's blog, as many of my friends and family know I am constantly plagued by seasonal allergies. Many people know that a herbal home remedy that has been around for ages is using local honey to get the pollen from your area in to your system. I have finally found a local honey in my area. The honey from Boyd Family Honey Farm is wonderful. It has a great consistency and because of the flowers the bees collect pollen from it has a wonderful almost buttery taste. I have been told the flavor is from the flower of the saw palmetto. So, please support local businesses and buy organic local products!