Two Preserving Projects: Apple Pectin and Rhubarb Rosemary Preserves

Sometime last year, I decided Sure Jell Pectin was a little weird. It just creeped me out. I'm sure it's fine. It's a natural ingredient, made from citrus peels, but I wanted more control of the exact ingredients in my jams. Organic is important to me.

And I really wanted some control over the amount of sugar used.

Now, let me just say, canners who use Pomona Pectin, have nothing bad to say about it. This is the one commercial product that works with less sugar. Last summer, I looked around for Pomona, couldn't find it, and decided I would try to make my jams without pectin.

Christine Ferber's preserve methods work best for this, as you strain the sugar-macerated fruit, make a syrup (boiled to 222°) and then add in the fruit at the end. But some fruits, especially cherry, just need that extra oomph the pectin provides in order to properly gel. I learned this the hard way - the cherry jam I made last summer is very runny. (I treated those jars as cherries in syrup, and candied them for ice cream, but that's another post.) And the pepper jelly I made without pectin was rubbery and too sticky. Feeling a little like Red Riding Hood, I knew there was a way that would be Just Right.

Mme. Ferber's jam methods also take much much longer to make. Often one, or sometimes two, days of macerating, straining, boiling down. It's a commitment. And sometimes I just want to be jammin' without all that delay. Even she uses an apple jelly to thicken some of her preserves (notably cherry.) She suggests making jelly out of green apples - early, nearly unripe, and full of natural pectin and then adds that jelly at the same time you might add pectin. Unfortunately, she adds sugar to the apple jelly, to preserve it, and I was so hoping to use less sugar.

You might remember, when I made mint jelly awhile back, I made apple pectin. That's when I started pondering this question. Then, two weeks ago, I noticed Trader Joes had organic small Granny Smith apples and I decided to try to make a simple, sugar free apple pectin for use throughout the summer.

To prepare for this experiment, I read articles all across the Interwebs, and then applied some old fashioned ingenuity to develop this method and recipe for apple pectin. I've tested it twice, in small batches, and find it works the same way the Sure Jell package works: added to the fruit and sugar mixture when it's boiling hard, this apple pectin thickens the jam as soon as the mixture comes back up to that boil-that-can't-be-stirred-down.

I'm excited about this experiment. I have 10-5oz packages of frozen pectin to try throughout the summer. I'll be reporting on these efforts as the summer goes on.

If you've made your own apple pectin, or if you try this recipe, won't you tell me about it in the comments below?


Apple Pectin
about 10 - 5oz packages

12 lbs green apples (either unripe or granny smith)
4 c water

In a large pot (8 qt or larger) add the water and apples, each one cut into 8 pieces, retaining skin, seeds, and core (as that's where the pectin resides.) Bring to a boil, then cover and cook for 30-45 minutes, until the apples are quite soft.
Line a large colander with a double layer of cheesecloth and carefully add the apple mixture. Press only slightly and not at all if you want to make clear jellies. Allow the pectin to strain overnight.
The next day, bring the pectin to a boil and reduce by one third.
Package your pectin in 5oz packages and freeze for future use.
Use one package with each 4 cups of fruit used -- at least that's the way it's worked for me! But, be prepared to add more pectin if needed.


And for those of you who aren't into the whole pectin project, here is a quick delicious preserves that is so good with cheese, you might just eat that entire container of Cowgirl Creamery Fromage Blanc (now available at the Bethesda Central Farm Market.) I know I was tempted.

Rhubarb Rosemary Honey Preserves
adapted from Mes Confitures
5 four ounce jars

1-1/2 lbs rhubarb
1 c sugar
3.5 oz forest flower honey (or any dark honey)
Juice of one lemon
5 sprigs rosemary

Cut the rhubarb into a small dice, add the sugar, stir and set aside for two hours.
Strain out the rhubarb and add the accumulated liquid and sugar to a 3-4 qt non-reactive pan. Add the honey and bring to a boil
Boil hard and bring to 222°, stirring all the time.
Add the rhubarb, juice of the lemon and the rosemary, bring back to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Skim foam as needed.
Funnel into sterilized jars, wipe the rims, add the lids and rings.
Place in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Remove and allow to cool for 24 hours on the counter.

PS Thank you so much, one and all, for your kindnesses over the last week. The loss of Dylan has made a huge hole in our hearts, and in our lives. We've got an application in for another scruffy terrier mix who needs a home. I hope to be posting some good news later this week. I just love you all and we're both so grateful for your support.