Here where we live in Indiana, USA, the violets are blooming enthusiastically! I love to make this simple and beautiful jelly at this time of year. Here is the recipe:
Violet Jelly
Pick the blossoms from violets (be sure not to do it where chemicals have been applied.) You will need 2 cups of blossoms. Just get the flower, not the stem, but don't worry about the little green part. I like to tamp mine down, as the more blossoms I use, the more color the jelly has.
Pour your little violet blossoms out into a shallow pan and let it sit for half an hour in case there are any little critters in there that would like to escape. After that, remember... they've had their chance.
Rinse the blossoms in cold water, drain, and place them in a quart jar.
Cover them with boiling water, put a lit on, and let them infuse for 24 hours. The next day they'll look pathetic, but that's ok.
Strain out the blossoms and to two cups of the infusion, add the juice of one lemon (about 2 Tablespoons). Notice how the color changes!
Add one box of powdered pectin. Bring to a boil.
Add 4 cups of sugar and bring to a boil again. Boil hard for 1 minute.
Pour into sterilized jelly jars and seal. Turn them upside-down for a few minutes, then right-side up.
What does it taste like? Sweet Violets of course!
So beautiful! I had violet jelly once. I think Autumn made it.
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