Blueberry Habanero Jelly Food

HABANERO PEPPER JELLY

Steps:

• Stir the vinegar and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved, then stir in the carrot and red bell pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer 5 minutes. Add the habanero peppers and simmer 5 minutes longer. Pour in the pectin, and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Skim and discard any foam from the jelly.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pour the jelly into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all).

BLUEBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Place blueberries in a Dutch oven and crush slightly. Add water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Line a strainer with four layers of cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Place berry mixture in strainer; cover with edges of cheesecloth. Let stand for 30 minutes or until liquid measures 6 cups., Pour juice back into Dutch oven; gradually stir in sugar until it dissolves. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Continue to boil 1 minute, stirring constantly., Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into six hot sterilized pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

BLUEBERRY PEPPER JELLY

Steps:

• Sterilize half-pint jars and lids and set aside.
• Place bell peppers, jalapenos, sugar and vinegar in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil, about 5 minutes. Add the blueberries and mash with a spoon to break up and extract juices (this take about 2-3 minutes). Return to a boil; add Certo and bring to a full rolling boil again, stirring constantly; cook for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Let stand 1 or 2 minutes and skim off foam.
• Ladle mixture into waiting jars. Put a flat lid and ring on each jar, tighten until snug and process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. (The jars must be covered by at least 1 inch of water.).
• Remove from pot and allow to cool. Allow jars to sit untouched for 12 hours. (After 1 hour, check to see if the jars have sealed. If the center of the lid can be pushed down, it hasn't sealed. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator.) Label and store, preferably in a cool, dark place.

BLUEBERRY JALAPENO JELLY

Steps:

• In one saucepan, combine the peppers, vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 cup water. Cook on medium high for 20 minutes, then using a sieve, remove all the peppers from the liquid and set aside.
• In another saucepan, place blueberries, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/2 cup water and cook on medium high for 20 minutes, Strain with a cheesecloth or jelly bag.
• Combine both liquids into one of the pans, adding sugar/Splenda. Cook on medium low until the sugar dissolved. Skim any foam off of the surface.
• Bring mix to a boil and add 1 box pectin and bring to a rolling boil for one minute.
• Remove from heat, skim off any foam and ladle into sterilized jelly jars and place lids tightly on the jars.
• Boil in a hot water bath (with 1-2 inches of water over the lids) for 5 minutes.
• Set on counter to cool and to set. Listen for the lids to pop. They could pop anywhere from 2 minutes to 2 hours afterward.
• If they do not pop, they are not sealed and will need to be refrigerated and used immediately.

HABANERO BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Immerse 5 (8-ounce) jars in simmering water until jam is ready, or at least 10 minutes. Wash lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon calcium powder in a small jar with a lid to make calcium water. (Note: you will use just 2 teaspoons calcium water for 4 cups mashed fruit. Store the remainder in the refrigerator and use within 6 months.)
• Mix pectin powder and sugar in a bowl. Place mashed berries, 2 teaspoons calcium water, lemon juice, and habanero pepper in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once berry mixture is boiling, add sugar mixture and stir vigorously for two minutes. Bring back to a boil and remove from heat.
• Ladle jam into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.