Friday, August 16, 2013

summer's almost over, time to make Fireweed Jelly


The fireweed are almost completely bloomed out, which in Alaska means that summer is nearly over, fall is basically here, and winter is on its way. Riggs and I went on a long walk yesterday to harvest the 8 cups of fireweed blossoms we needed to make our most favorite jelly ever.

Fireweed-Maple Jelly (adapted from here)
8 cups fireweed blossoms (no stems)
1/4 cup lemon juice
4.5 cups water
6 T low/no sugar pectin
1.5 cups granulated sugar
1/5 cup real maple syrup

//pick wash and measure 8 cups of fireweed blossoms.
//add water, lemon juice and blossoms to large saucepan and heat to boiling.
//boil for 10 minutes and then strain, using unbleached cheesecloth.
//pour lukewarm strained juice back into saucepan and whisk in the 6 tablespoons of low/no sugar pectin. Bring to a boil and whisk in sugar and syrup. Bring to roiling boil and boil for 1 minute.
//pour into hot, clean jars and seal (makes about 7 half pints).
//process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
//done!

you need to rinse them really well
there will be lots of bugs and spiders
the fireweed blossoms smell so, so good while they're boiling. 
and then there's that beautiful, hot-pink juice...
I just love this jelly!


This morning we enjoyed delicious toast smothered with that gorgeous, scrumptious fireweed-maple jelly. So good!

4 comments:

  1. I've never heard of fireweed! What does it taste like?

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  2. This is amazing! I wish we were neighbors...haha!

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  3. This sounds and looks amazing! I've never heard of it before. So fun. Yea, what does it taste like?

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  4. @Andrea @ Hey Mama, Rock Me: it's definitely an interesting flavor, hard to explain. It's sweet but with a little bit of a earthy flavor. It's really yummy with butter on warm toast, or on waffles.

    @Andrea: ha just come on over and have some! ;)

    @Lena: It's one of my favorites to make because of the gorgeous color. Who wouldn't want hot-pink/magenta jelly?!

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