Elderberry jelly from wild elderberries, plus foraging tips.
I can’t believe these elderberries have been there the whole time, right in front of me!
If you do go picking, wear long sleeve shirt, a hat, and jeans.
Elise Bauer
You’ll want to cut the cluster from its base.
Do not process the leaves or stems, as they may contain problematic alkaloids.
An Exquisite Jelly From a Special Fruit
So, what do they taste like?
One of the many elderberry shrubs growing along the American River.Elise Bauer
They make a jelly much like concord grape jelly, though not as cloying, and absolutely delicious.
I’ve been making peanut butter elderberry jelly sandwiches for lunch for all week long.
Or you’re free to makewinefrom the berries.
Elise Bauer
Make one batch at a time.
Use mostly berries that are completely blue or black.
For each batch of jelly, collect 3 pounds of de-stemmed elderberries (about 8 to 10 cups).
Elise Bauer
Place berries in a large pot and crush with a potato masher to release some of the juices.
Turn the heat to medium and continue to crush as the mixture heats up to a boil.
Place a large fine-mesh sieve, or 4 layers of cheesecloth, over a pot.
Elise Bauer
Slowly transfer the mashed berries and juice over the sieve to strain the juice out into the pot.
Let strain for 1 hour.
You’ll need 5 to 6 (8-ounce) canning jars and lids.
Elise Bauer
Put a steaming rack at the bottom of a large, tall pot.
Once the water reaches a full rolling boil, boil the jars for 10 minutes to sterilize them.
Wash the lids in hot, soapy water.
Elise Bauer
Measure out the strained juice.
You will need 3 cups of juice to make one batch of jelly if using SureJell pectin.
Place 3 cups of juice into a large, high sided, wide pot (8-quart).
Elise Bauer
Add the lemon juice and pectin.
Bring to a boil on high heat.
Add 4 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of butter.
Elise Bauer
(The butter helps keep the mixture from boiling up too high.)
Stir with a wooden spoon.
Bring to a boil again.
Elise Bauer
Watch the pot as the mixture will foam up considerably.
You may need to lower the heat a bit to keep the foam from boiling over the pot.
Wipe the rims with a damp paper towel.
Elise Bauer
Place lids on jars and rings to secure.
Process the jars in a water bath for 5 minutes.
Remove from the water bath and let cool.
As the jelly cools you should hear a popping sound as the lids seal.
Once you open a jar, it can last for several months in the refrigerator.
