Red Currant & Raspberry Jelly

CountryLady's Note:

I first tried this recipe from the "Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving" when I discovered a red currant bush in our garden. We get so many berries from the bush that I freeze them & make this jelly all year round. My grandchildren don't want store-bought jam anymore!

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 8 cups

• 4 cups red currants , washed &, stemmed
• ¾ cup water
• 4 cups raspberries
• 7 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (85 ml) packet liquid fruit pectin

Directions:

1. Using a potato masher, crush currants in a very large stainless steel or enamel saucepan.
2. Add water& bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat, cover& boil gently for 10 minutes.
4. Add raspberries, return to a boil& boil gently for 3 minutes.
5. Strain mixture through a coarse sieve, pressing pulp to extract juice& discarding the solids.
6. If you want, you can now pour the juice through a jelly bag (cheesecloth)- I'm lazy& don't do this!
7. You should have 4 cups of juice - when I don't get that amount, I top up with cranberry cocktail - combine juice with sugar in a very large stainless steel or enamel saucepan.
8. Bring to a boil& boil hard, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
9. Remove from heat, stir in pectin& ladle into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space.
10. Be sure to remove any air bubbles.
11. Place jars into boiling water in canner, add enough water to cover lids by 2 inches& return to boil.
12. Boil for 5 minutes.
13. Remove from canner, cool, label& store in cool, dark place.

Reviews

[Chef #512944]

This recipe turned out very well. The jelly had a lovely flavour, not too sweet like many can be. We've already eaten through the first batch -- will be making more! Thanks

[Trying to live off the land]

Thank you for sharing this lovely jelly recipe. I combined our wild black raspberries with our red currants and I was very pleased with the results. I plan to use it again next year.

[Kittencalskitchen]

I am adding my 5 stars to this fantastic jam recipe!, I was also lucky enough to receive this jam (in person) from the lovely Country Lady, let me tell you it is the best homemade jam I have had yet! thank you so much Marg, I love this jam!...Kitten :)