Habanero Gold Jelly Food

HABANERO GOLD JELLY

Steps:

• Cut apricots into 1/8 inch slices and measure into large stainless steel saucepan with the vinegar; let stand for four hours.
• Cut onions and peppers into 1/8 inch slices; cut slices into a 1/4 inch dice.
• Add to apricots and stir in sugar.
• Bring mixture to a full rolling boil.
• Stirring constantly, boil hard for one minute.
• Remove from heat and immediately stir in liquid pectin, mixing well.
• Stir for about 3 minutes to mix solids, but put into jars before it gets too firm.
• Pour into hot sterilized jars, dividing solids equally and fill to within 1/4 inch from top of jar.
• Apply snap lids and process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes if you choose.
• Once sealed you can rotate or invert jars while still warm to distribute solids if needed.

HABANERO GARLIC JELLY

Steps:

• Put habaneros, bell pepper, & garlic in a food processor and process until they are finely minced - be careful not to turn it into mush.
• Put the minced vegetables into a large pot and add the sugar, vinegar, and lime juice. Mix well, and bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, keeping any eye on the mixture to make sure it does not boil over the top of the pan.
• Remove from heat and stir in food coloring (if using).
• Add the pectin and stir briskly with a whisk for 3 minutes - this helps to evenly distribute the bits of pepper and garlic throughout the jelly.
• Ladle the jelly into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with damp paper towels to remove any jelly which got on the rims or the threads. Place the lids and the bands on the jars, just tightening the bands fingertip tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes, then remove and let sit, undisturbed, for at least 12 hours before checking seals. It is important to let them sit undisturbed for 12 hours because the sealing compound on the lids is still cooling and hardening, completing the seal. While the jars cool, you will hear a "plink" type sound from each jar - this is the jars completing the vacuum seal as the final air escapes the jar. After 12 hours have passed, remove the bands and check the lids - press down in the center of the lid. If you cannot push the lid down any further, the jar is sealed. If the lid "gives" a bit, and you can push it down, the jar did not seal. You can either put the band back on the jar, and reprocess it for another 5 minutes, or you can just put it in the fridge and use it within 3 months.

HABANERO APRICOT JELLY

Steps:

• Using a food processor, finely mince the diced apricots.
• Place the apricots in a large stainless steel stockpot, add the vinegar and cover. Let the apricots soak in the vinegar for at least 4 hours (can be left to sit overnight if you'd like, but 4 hours will do the trick).
• Using a food processor, finely mince the red bell pepper and habanero peppers.
• Place the apricots, vinegar, peppers, and sugar in a large stainless steel stockpot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to make sure all the sugar dissolves.
• Once the mixture has reached a full rolling boil (a boil you can not stir down), it will double in size. Stirring constantly, keep at a full boil for one minute.
• Remove from heat and whisk in pectin and continue to stir for 3 minutes - this helps to evenly distribute the apricot and pepper pieces throughout the jelly.
• Ladle the jelly into sterilized canning jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with damp paper towels to remove any jelly which got on the rims or the threads. Place the lids and the bands on the jars, just tightening the bands fingertip tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes, then remove and let sit, undisturbed, for at least 12 hours before checking seals. It is important to let them sit undisturbed for 12 hours because the sealing compound on the lids is still cooling and hardening, completing the seal. While the jars cool, you will hear a "plink" type sound from each jar - this is the jars completing the vacuum seal as the final air escapes the jar. After 12 hours have passed, remove the bands and check the lids - press down in the center of the lid. If you cannot push the lid down any further, the jar is sealed. If the lid "gives" a bit, and you can push it down, the jar did not seal. You can either put the band back on the jar, and reprocess it for another 5 minutes, or you can just put it in the fridge and use it within 3 months.