Crabapple Jelly

If you are wondering what to do with all the crabapples from the tree in your yard, this is your answer.

Crabapple Jelly

Ingredients

8 cups fresh crabapples
Water
3 cups sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
6-8 cloves
Cheesecloth

Instructions

Remove stem and blossom end of each crabapple. Cut each crabapples into quarters. Place in large stainless steel pot. Add enough water to cover, but not so much the crabapples are floating. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. The crabapples will change color and become mushy. Line a wire strainer with 2-3 layers of cheesecloth. Place on top of bowl. Pour apples and liquid into the lined strainer. Allow to drain into bowl. You should have 4 cups of juice. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes, skimming off any foam that appears on the top. Then stir in sugar until dissolved. Add cinnamon and cloves. Place candy thermometer into the liquid and allow to boil gently until the temperature reaches 225 degrees. As the temperature increases to 225, continue to skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Remove from heat when 225 degrees is achieved. Remove cinnamon and cloves. Pour into jelly jar, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Refrigerate for immediate use or seal with rubber-ring tops and process in hot water bath for 8-10 minutes to seal and store for future use.