Prickly Pear Jelly

Over at Gumbo Lilly's blog there has been discussion about prickly pear jelly. I am not an expert by any means...and to tell ya the truth....I don't even like the stuff. But I have made it several times. Not in recent years....just because I would rather skin a skunk then deal with it. It is a lot of work, messy work, and if you are like me..kind of a klutz you will be picking small slivers of nettle out of your hands, arms and anything else that comes into contact with the hateful plant. Word of warning.....be careful what you back up to...I know this from experience. :)

First.....gather your wild prickly pear

These are not ripe



There are various varieties of pear. Oh by the way.....my dh has always referred to it as "Pear", and so I will as well....I hate typing so any short cuts that I can find I am all for. My Dear Father In Law has always referred to it as " Cac " Just so you know. Anyway the Pear we have here is very short and stubby with tons, and I do mean tons of very long...very long spines. The pictures that I have taken or of Pear that I imported long ago from Texas. They grow to be huge! I made the mistake of planting it in my yard...and after a few years and much growth...it was almost as tall as me..I had DH take it out, which he had to do with a chainsaw. It was quite humorous to watch. I took the paddles and planted them in a more convenient place....or it was until it started to really grow....hint...don't plant your pear beside any gate going into your yard...you will be sorry.

Anyway, you want your fruit to be very very red. Here that is usually in late summer/early fall. When it is red you pick. Very carefully.

Here is one that is just starting to turn.....



To gather these you need very heavy leather gloves...and a big set of pliers. And you just pick them off the plant. Sounds easy huh...well watch for these....



The big ones will get you...but it is the little ones that will deal your misery later in the day. You will find them in places that you don't know how they got there.

Now you have to get the small spiny things off of your pear fruit. The best way to do this that I have found...and if anybody out there has a better idea...please let me know..is to burn them. You can stick a long fork in them and just hold them over the flame of a gas stove..or grill. It doesn't take much but it is time consuming.

When you have them relativity free of stickers then split them in half. Place them in a large pot and add just enough water that they won't stick and cook them until they are tender.

Then proceed as you would any jelly. Mash them into a colander and let the juice drain into a large bowl. Now for this jelly it is good to pour through dense cheesecloth or an old clean pillow case and let it drip slowly through. You will not get all the stickers and this way hopefully you will catch the strays.

One note....this stuff makes the most beautiful color of juice. It is awesome. And it will stain. Wear old clothes. And just plan on having red hands for a few days.

Here is the recipe.

*note*

This isn't the one that I have always used..but it sounds like it might be a tad easier so I am going to post it. If it is....disregard all the the above..maybe this is the best way! Or try both ways and see which works better.

Prickly Pear Jelly

61/2 cups of prickly pear juice
2 packages of Sure-Jell
1/2 cup of lemon juice
9 cups of sugar

Do not peel your prickly pear fruit. *note* I never did either.
Wear gloves and rub off spines with a gunny sack....*note* I am doubtful, but hey nothing ventured nothing gained.
It's not necessary that all the spines are removed. It's amazing how fast they disappear when cooked.

Put fully ripe fruit in kettle with a small amount of water, not more than three cups of an 8 quart kettle. Bring to a boil and mash with a potato masher.

Do not overcook. If fruit is fully ripe they will be fairly juicy.

Drain through cloth

Measure juice into a large kettle, and bring to a boil. Add 2 packages of Sure_jell. Boil hard for one minute, a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Add lemon juice and sugar. Bring back to a hard boil, let boil for a minute.

Be sure you measure exactly. If a more firm jelly is desired omit 1/4 cup of juice and add 1/2 cup of sugar. Jelly will be a beautiful claret red and firm.

Well there it is folks. I wish you luck. And happy prickly pear pick'n.

God Bless and Happy Trails

Ranchwife