Spicy Jalapeno Mint Jelly
Transform your surplus mint harvest into a vibrant and flavorful Spicy Jalapeno Mint Jelly. This delightful condiment, with its perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and minty notes, is a fantastic addition to cheese boards, grilled meats, or as a unique topping for toast and biscuits. Inspired by a beloved family recipe from 'Small Batch Canning' by Topp and Howard, this small batch recipe captures the fresh essence of mint and the kick from jalapenos. Whether you have mountains of mint from your garden or want to add a zing to your pantry, this jelly is a perfect choice.
N/A
Servings
88
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Mint
1 3/4 cups (finely chopped, divided)
Water
1 1/2 cups (for steeping mint)
Granulated Sugar
3 1/2 cups (for sweetening jelly)
Cider Vinegar
3/4 cup (for acidity and flavor)
Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed for flavor)
Jalapeno Peppers
2 (finely chopped for spiciness)
Liquid Fruit Pectin
1 (8 ounce) envelope (for thickening)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of the finely chopped mint and 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
2
Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it, and let the mint steep for 30 minutes.
3
After steeping, strain the mixture through a lined sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the mint remnants.
4
In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine the extracted mint liquid, granulated sugar, cider vinegar, lemon juice, and finely chopped jalapenos.
5
Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Boil vigorously for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
6
Remove from heat and stir in the liquid fruit pectin and the remaining 1/4 cup of finely chopped mint.
7
Ladle the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Seal the jars with sterilized lids.
8
Process the jars in a water bath for 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can pour the jelly into jars, invert them for 5 minutes, then turn back upright to let the lids seal.
9
Listen for the satisfying 'pop' of the seals as they close.
Nutrition Information
0g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
0g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Jalapeno Mint Jelly?
It is a vibrant condiment featuring a balance of sweet, spicy, and minty notes, perfect for cheese boards and meats.
What are the best serving suggestions for this jelly?
It is a fantastic addition to cheese boards, grilled meats, or as a unique topping for toast and biscuits.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a family favorite from 'Small Batch Canning' by Topp and Howard.
How much mint do I need in total?
You will need 1 3/4 cups of finely chopped mint, divided for different stages of the recipe.
How do I prepare the mint liquid base?
Combine 1 1/2 cups of mint with 1 1/2 cups of water, bring to a boil, and then steep for 30 minutes.
Should I strain the mint leaves?
Yes, strain the mixture through a lined sieve and press with a spoon to extract all the liquid before discarding the remnants.
How much sugar is required for this jelly?
The recipe calls for 3 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.
What type of vinegar should be used?
Cider vinegar is used to provide the necessary acidity and flavor profile.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary?
Yes, the recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
How many jalapenos are included?
The recipe uses 2 finely chopped jalapeno peppers for spiciness.
How long should the mixture boil before adding pectin?
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and let it boil vigorously for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
What kind of pectin is used in this recipe?
One 8-ounce envelope of liquid fruit pectin is used for thickening.
When do I add the remaining mint?
The remaining 1/4 cup of finely chopped mint is stirred in after removing the mixture from the heat and adding the pectin.
How much headspace should I leave in the jars?
Leave approximately 1/4 inch of headspace when ladling the jelly into the jars.
How long do I process the jars in a water bath?
Process the sterilized jars in a water bath for 5 minutes.
Is there an alternative to the water bath method?
Yes, you can pour the jelly into jars, invert them for 5 minutes, then turn them upright to let them seal.
How do I know the jars have sealed correctly?
You should listen for a satisfying 'pop' sound as the lids seal.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 88 calories.
Does this jelly contain any fat?
No, this Spicy Jalapeno Mint Jelly contains 0g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there any protein in this recipe?
This recipe contains 0g of protein.
How many ingredients are used in total?
There are 7 primary ingredients in this jelly recipe.
What type of saucepan is recommended?
A large stainless steel saucepan is recommended for boiling the jelly mixture.
Is this a small batch or large batch recipe?
This is specifically a small batch canning recipe.
Can I use this recipe if I have a surplus of mint?
Yes, it is an excellent way to transform a large garden mint harvest into a pantry staple.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to combine 1 1/2 cups of mint and 1 1/2 cups of water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
How long do I steep the mint?
The mint should steep for 30 minutes after being removed from the heat.
What is the preparation for the jalapenos?
The jalapenos should be finely chopped before being added to the mixture.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include jelly, mint jelly, jalapeno jelly, homemade preserves, small batch canning, spicy condiments, and garden recipes.
Are there any fibers or cholesterol in this jelly?
According to the nutrition data, fiber and cholesterol values are not present or are null.