Скачать или смотреть How to Make Mustang Grape Jelly "Delicious Homemade Mustang Grape Jelly: A Step-by-Step Guide"

I made over 200 jars of grape jelly from wild mustang grapes harvested from our property in Chapel Hill, Texas. The experience was hot, adventurous, and somewhat scary due to the unpredictable elements in the woods. Fortunately, my family and I made it through, with only a couple of us (not including me) ending up with poison ivy along the way. I became so ambitious and brave that I would drive my truck to the woods, back it up, jump onto the tires, and then jump into the truck bed. From there, I would open the ladder, climb up, and reach the tops of the trees to pick the grapes. I was quite the picking fool!

Once you get the picking fever, it’s hard to escape it. The process is both satisfying and delicious, because once you taste this jelly, there’s nothing better as a grape substitute. Making the jelly from harvested grapes is a lengthy process, but the fun is in the journey. This jelly is farm-to-table, and there’s no skimping on quality, taste, or the stories you can tell for years to come!

For those who buy the grapes, making mustang grape jelly is moderately easy and involves a few steps, but it’s not overly complex. The process involves extracting juice from the grapes, combining it with sugar and pectin (or using a no-pectin recipe), and boiling it until it thickens before being jarred and processed.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. *Preparing the Grapes:*
*Harvesting/Obtaining:* Wild mustang grapes are often used, requiring careful picking and inspection for debris.
*Washing and Soaking:* Thoroughly wash the grapes and soak them to remove any dirt or debris.
*Juice Extraction:* Cook the grapes with water (or steam them) to soften them. Then, separate the juice from the pulp and seeds using a strainer or cheesecloth. Some recipes recommend using a potato masher to help release the juice.

2. *Making the Jelly:*
*Combining Ingredients:* Mix the grape juice with sugar and pectin (if using a recipe with added pectin). Bring the mixture to a boil.
*Boiling and Testing:* Boil the mixture until it reaches the desired thickness. Testing methods include using chilled plates separated.
*Jarring and Processing:* Ladle the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving a small headspace. Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath to ensure proper sealing.

3. *Key Considerations:*
*Pectin:* Recipes vary on whether to use added pectin or rely on the natural pectin in the grapes. Using added pectin can help ensure a good set, especially if the grapes are not naturally high in pectin.
*Tartness:* Mustang grapes are known for their tartness, so the amount of sugar can be adjusted to achieve the desired sweetness.
*Sterilization:* Proper sterilization of jars and lids is crucial to prevent spoilage.
*Patience:* Some recipes recommend letting the mixture sit for a period after boiling to allow it to thicken before jarring.

I hope you enjoyed this video! Consider subscribing to my channel and smashing that like button. Thank you for watching!