Saturday, September 19, 2009

Muscadine Jelly

After planting the grape vines on the property 6 years ago, we finally have homemade jelly from the grapes. Man....talk about satisfaction! A total of 4 pints, and 9 half pints is an acceptable number in my book....We'll try some tomorrow, as I always let mine set for about 24 hours. Yay!


Tomato sauce is next, I guess. The canning season is almost over, but we've put up our fair share of things - definitely.
After the jelly was finished, I had a little time to work on the shed, too. The gable end on the backside is almost covered with osb, and the roof will be started sometime next week. If I can just get it in the dry reasonably quick, the insides can be worked on anytime.
Take care, and happy preserving,
EG

15 comments:

Daphne said...

Such a pretty collection. I used to make concord grape jelly a long time ago. I ripped up my grapes a couple of years ago so can't do that anymore. I hope the blueberries that I replaced them with really produce next year.

I bet you could put up a nice selection of jars by now. I really regret not canning my tomato sauce and salsa because the jars would look so pretty with all my other canned jars. I think I have more room in my freezer though than in my pantry. I really need to clean out the kids craft cabinet now they they are all grown up. Then I would have lots of space.

Engineeredgarden said...

Daphne - thanks! I haven't counted the jars in the pantry, but there's definitely lots!

GrafixMuse said...

Absolutely Beautiful! I was lucky, my house came with mature Concord grape vines, but I think the excess rain did them in this year. I hope they do better next year as I would love to make jelly too.

Annie's Granny said...

That grape jelly looks divine...good job, EG! Mr. H is after me to make grape jelly, but since I don't grow the grapes, it's cheaper to buy it already made. I used to live near a concord grape vineyard, and always made jelly in the fall. I gave away my juicer years ago, so of course I wish I had it back now.

Engineeredgarden said...

grafixmuse - Oh gosh, you were lucky! There was nothing in our yard, until 6 years ago. Now, we have everything! Ha!

granny - that's too bad....you could make it from grape juice...thanks for the compliment!

Annie's Granny said...

I told Mr. H I could make it from bottled grape juice, but it would cost twice as much as the big jars of store brand grape jelly! Juice, pectin, tons of sugar, lemon juice, jar lids....I'll buy the ready made ;-)

Ribbit said...

Six years is a long, long time to wait for a pay-out. You're a patient man, EG.

Jelly looks scrumptious, though. We made some banana jam a few weeks ago. Throw some of that on a peanut butter sandwich and you're in hog heaven.

Engineeredgarden said...

granny - that's too bad.

ribbit - yeah, it's been a long time coming. Banana jam sounds really strange!

Kelly said...

Congrats on the jelly, it looks delicious!

Shawn Ann said...

I guess you probably think I am crazy for giving away our grapevines that were here when we moved in....That is where my garden is now. The only spot in the yard with full sun. And we wanted to open up the yard for the kids. We had black berries too, gave it all to the same lady. I bet she feels lucky!

Engineeredgarden said...

kelly - thanks! It was pretty good on biscuits this morning..

ShawnAnn - I would pull grape vines for planting a garden, too! Oh yeah....that lady feels lucky, I bet.

Momma_S said...

Oh, wow! I didn't know you could make grape jelly out of chocolate covered cherries and tomatoes! huh. huh. (bad joke on myself) They look sooo yummy!

Engineeredgarden said...

that's funny....

Toni said...

Sounds very interesting! Please DO post about how it tastes!

I'll be making more tomato sauce too... after I finish grouting the bathroom floor!

Engineeredgarden said...

Toni - it was good, but not as good as the last time I made it. The experience was fun, though.