Indulge your taste buds with a unique blend of sweet pineapple and spicy cowboy candy in this homemade pepper jelly recipe. Perfect for spreading on crackers, glazing meats, or adding a zing to your favorite dishes, this jelly is sure to become a pantry staple.
Ingredients:
- 1 fresh pineapple, trimmed and cubed
- 1 small 4-oz jar Cowboy Candy
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons butter (to reduce foaming)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 package Sure-Jel fruit pectin
- 6 cups sugar
Method:
- Begin by pulsing the cubed pineapple in a food processor until finely chopped, ensuring it’s not pureed.
- Transfer the chopped pineapple to a large stockpot, aiming for around 4 cups of chopped pineapple.
- Into the stockpot, add Cowboy Candy, lemon juice, butter, crushed red pepper flakes, and Sure-Jel fruit pectin.
- Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Once boiling, add the sugar all at once, stir well, and bring it back to a rolling boil. Boil vigorously for 1 minute.
- Remove the pot from heat and carefully ladle the jelly into prepared mason jars.
- Seal the jars with rings and lids, then process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
- After the boiling water bath, let the jars cool on the kitchen countertop for 24 hours. Sealed jars will have a fully depressed button in the middle of the lid.
- While the jelly cools, gently shake the jars periodically to evenly distribute the pineapple and pepper pieces.
- Store the sealed jars on the pantry shelf for up to one year. Once opened, refrigerate any remaining jelly.
Tips and Variations:
- Adjust the heat level by varying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or cowboy candy used.
- For a smoother jelly, strain out the pineapple and pepper pieces before bottling.
- Experiment with different fruits, such as mango or peach, for unique flavor combinations.
- Serve this jelly alongside cheese and crackers for a delightful appetizer, or use it as a glaze for grilled meats.
How to Store:
Store the sealed jars of pineapple-cowboy candy pepper jelly in a cool, dark place such as a pantry shelf. Properly sealed jars can be stored for up to one year. Once opened, refrigerate any remaining jelly to preserve its freshness.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
A: While fresh pineapple is recommended for optimal flavor, canned pineapple can be used as a substitute if fresh is not available.
Q: Can I omit the butter in this recipe?
A: The butter is added to reduce foaming during the boiling process, but it can be omitted if desired without significantly affecting the final product.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes, you can double or even triple the recipe as long as you have a large enough stockpot to accommodate the increased volume. Be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly.
