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Recipe for prickly pear jelly
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 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Overnight Juice Setting 12 hours
Total Time 14 hours
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 105 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)

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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