Prickly Pear Jelly is a vibrant, sweet-tart preserve made from the juice of ripe prickly pear fruit, known for its bold magenta color and subtle watermelon-berry flavor. This old-fashioned jelly captures the essence of late summer in the Southwest, where prickly pears ripen to a deep purple-red hue.

The process begins with carefully cleaning and cooking the spiny cactus fruit, then straining the juice and combining it with lemon juice, sugar, and pectin. After a quick, high boil, the mixture is jarred and allowed to set into a glistening jelly, perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or using as a glaze. The result is a jewel-toned jelly that balances natural fruitiness with rich sweetness and a hint of citrus brightness.

Ideal for gift-giving or savoring year-round, this jelly is a beautiful way to preserve seasonal prickly pears, and a piece of regional tradition.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1 30

Overnight Juice Setting 12

Total Time 14

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American

Servings tbsp

Calories 50 kcal

Ingredients

prickly pears (purple red color, quantity sufficient for 5 cups of juice)
water (enough to cover the fruit)
2 pkgs Sure-Jell (pectin)
6 tbsp lemon juice
7 cups sugar

Optional

paraffin wax (for sealing jars)

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Instructions

Prepare the Fruit

Pick ripe prickly pears (purple-red in color).
Pour hot water over the pears to remove stickers.
Rinse well.
Slice the pears very thin or cut into small pieces.

Cook the Fruit

Place cut pears into a stainless steel pot.
Barely cover the fruit with water.
Boil for 25 to 30 minutes.

Extract the Juice

Strain the juice using cheesecloth or a fine strainer.
Squeeze the fruit thoroughly to extract as much juice as possible.
Refrigerate the juice overnight.
The next day, pour off the juice carefully, leaving any sediment behind.

Prepare the Jelly

Measure 5 cups of the clarified juice and pour into a pot.
Heat the juice until it comes to a boil.
Add 2 packages of Sure-Jell and bring it back to a boil.
Add 6 tablespoons of real lemon juice.
Add 7 cups of sugar to the juice and stir until dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Jar and Seal

Pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars.
Let the jelly sit until it sets and jells.
Once set, pour melted paraffin wax over the top (optional) to seal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 13gSugar: 12g

Keyword Jelly, Prickly Pear

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