Best Plum Port Wine Jelly Recipes

PORT WINE JELLY

Steps:

• Pour the port into a large saucepan, and sprinkle in the pectin. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Once boiling, pour in the sugar, and stir until dissolved. Return the mixture to a boil, and stir in the butter until melted. Continue boiling for 1 minute, skimming and discarding any foam the forms on the surface.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pour the jelly into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

PLUM JELLY

Steps:

• Combine plums, sugar, and water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Lower heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until mixture has thickened to desired consistency, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, inspect five 8-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jelly is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Remove jelly from the heat and skim off any heavy foam. Ladle hot jelly into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw rings on finger-tight.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 15 minutes. Remove jars from water bath and tighten rings.
• Place jars on a towel to cool until lids pop. Press lids to confirm the seal.

PLUM-PORT WINE JELLY

Steps:

• Pit the plums. Tie the pits in a cheesecloth bag. Cut the fruit into quarters. Simmer the plums, pits and water in a covered saucepan over medium heat for one hour, or until the fruit is almost reduced to a pulp. (To hasten the process, mash the fruit coarsely after it has cooked a while.) Discard the pits and force the pulp through a coarse sieve or a food mill. Place the purée in a jelly bag and let it drip overnight. (If you do not have a jelly bag, line a colander with 4 thicknesses of cheesecloth and set over a bowl.) The next day, measure the juice and add enough port wine to make 3 cups of liquid altogether. Combine the liquid and sugar in a large pot and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat. Add pectin and continue to boil hard, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Skim the top and pour into hot, sterilized jelly glasses. Cover with a thin layer of melted paraffin. When the paraffin has hardened, cover the glasses and store.

PLUM WINE GELATIN

Steps:

• Heat the wine and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Add the plums and vanilla bean and simmer until the plums are just tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the plums to a plate using a slotted spoon, reserving the poaching liquid. Peel the plums, if desired, and slice into thin wedges.
• Sprinkle the gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a small bowl. Let sit 1 minute, then stir into the warm poaching liquid until the gelatin dissolves. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Let cool to room temperature.
• Spray three 3-by-5-inch loaf pans or 8-ounce bowls with cooking spray, wiping out the excess. Pour a 1/4-inch layer of the gelatin mixture into each mold. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Arrange half of the plum slices on top of the firm gelatin. Add just enough of the gelatin mixture to cover the fruit, then return to the refrigerator until firm, about 20 minutes. Repeat the process to make another gelatin layer and another fruit layer, then fill the molds with the remaining gelatin mixture and refrigerate until fully set, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Unmold the gelatin: Bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in a wide saucepan. Run a butter knife or small offset spatula around the top edge of the gelatin. Dip the bottom of each mold into the hot water for about 10 seconds, then invert onto plates.

WILD PLUM JELLY

Steps:

• In a stockpot, simmer plums and water until tender, about 30 minutes. Line a strainer with four layers of cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Place plum mixture in strainer; cover with edges of cheesecloth. Let stand until liquid measures 5-1/2 cups, about 30 minutes., Return liquid to the pan. Add pectin; stir and bring to a boil. Add sugar; bring to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly., Remove from the heat; skim off any foam. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 5 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

SURE.JELL PLUM JELLY

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Pit plums. Do not peel. Finely chop or grind fruit. Place fruit in saucepan; add water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 min., stirring occasionally. Place three layers of damp cheesecloth or a jelly bag in large bowl. Pour prepared fruit into cheesecloth. Tie cheesecloth closed; hang and let drip into bowl until dripping stops. Press gently. Measure exactly 5-1/2 cups prepared juice into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot.
• Stir pectin into juice in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Bring to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 5 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)