Apricot-Jalapeno Jelly

This makes a nice food gift tied with a pretty ribbon.

Yield: about 7 half pint jars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh jalapeno peppers, stemmed and seeded, cut up
• 1 large red bell pepper, stemmed and seeded, cut up
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups dried apricots, chopped
• 6 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (3 ounce) package liquid pectin
• 4 drops red food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Put jalapenos, red bell pepper and vinegar in a blender of food processor. Puree or pulse until coarsely ground with some small chunks remaining.
2. Combine apricots, sugar and pepper/vinegar mixture in a large saucepan (at least 6 quarts). Bring to a boil; boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; skim off any foam that forms. Allow mixture to cool for 2 minutes. Mix in pectin and food coloring if using it. Pour into sterilized jars, seal and cool. Process the jars in a water-bath for 10 minutes.
3. Serve with grilled meats or on cream cheese with crackers.

Notes

This recipe calls for dried apricots, but peaches, nectarines and pears work equally well. Any fresh green chile can be substituted for the jalapenos, depending on your taste and heat preference. Serranos will make it hotter; roasted peeled New Mexico chiles will tame it down.

Solve the problem of the fruit/veggies all floating to the top of the jar when the jelly is set by turning the jars over every 5 or 10 minutes when the jars are cooling after being removed from the hot water bath. The turning helps to suspend the fruit/veggies more throughout the jelly, otherwise you need to stir up the jelly when you open the jar to distribute all the goodies.

Review

Tammie Hutcherson: I had looked all over for a recipe for Apricot Jalapeno Jelly and I was not disappointed with this one. It was easy and a hit with all my family members. This year I will be giving it as gifts. I served it over cream cheese with crackers and it got raves. Thank you. Tammie.