Jalapeno Jelly: A Strange but Delicious Treat

When most people think of jalapenos, they think of spicy food like tacos or burritos, but I am going to dispel the natural inclinations that jalapenos create with this recipe. The recipe I am talking about is jalapeno jelly, and although it sounds strange, it is super delicious and not very hot. This jelly can add an incredible, distinct flavor to any meal and is good just by itself!

The first thing you need to do is gather your ingredients. Here is a list of the following ingredients needed for this super great treat.

1 c. green bell pepper, cut lengthwise, chopped, or minced * whatever you prefer, I chop mine finely* this should be about 1 medium sized bell pepper
You may also use a little red pepper to add color!

1 1/2 c. cider vinegar

1/3 c. fresh jalapeno peppers with seeds *once again cut as preferred, and remove seeds if you do not want it to be spicy*

5 c. granulated sugar

1 pouch (3 oz.) liquid pectin

Some people also add a few drops of green food coloring, but that is up to you.

Now that you have all the ingredients, the fun can start!

Combine both peppers, vinegar, and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes. After it has boiled remove it from heat and skim foam off of top. Remove from heat and mix in the pectin. This is also the time when you would mix in the food coloring if desired. Let the jelly jars cool for 2 minutes.

If you are preserving the jellies this would be the time where you boil them for 15 minutes. After they have sealed set on counter to cool. After 30 minutes invert the jars in order to mix the peppers further into the jelly. If they are not inverted the peppers will settle to one section of the delicious jelly mixture.
This recipe makes about 5 cups and is an excellent present for Christmas if you substitute some of the green pepper for red. You may also substitute the fresh jalapenos for canned or bottled jalapenos, but use ¼ a cup of these peppers instead.

This recipe is easy and fun to make. It adds an incredibly unique flavor and spice combination to any meal and shoul be used more often. So don't be scared when jalapeno and jelly is put in the same sentence. Try this recipe yourself and you will see how tasty it is!