Description
This Pineapple-Cowboy Candy Pepper Jelly is a vibrant, sweet-and-spicy condiment combining fresh pineapple, jalapeño, and sweet red peppers. Perfect for pairing with cream cheese and crackers or as a glaze on grilled meats, this homemade jelly offers a delightful balance of heat and sweetness, preserved traditionally through canning.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups diced fresh pineapple
- 1 cup sliced jalapeño peppers (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 cup sliced sweet red peppers
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 packet (1.75 oz) powdered fruit pectin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Chop the fruits and peppers: In a food processor, pulse the pineapple, jalapeños, and red peppers until they are finely chopped but not pureed to preserve texture.
- Combine ingredients in saucepan: Transfer the chopped mixture to a large saucepan and add apple cider vinegar, water, salt, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add pectin and boil: Stir in the powdered fruit pectin, then boil the mixture for 1 minute while stirring constantly to activate the pectin.
- Add sugar and boil hard: Add all the sugar at once, return the mixture to a full rolling boil, and boil hard for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring continuously to properly cook the jelly.
- Remove foam and fill jars: Remove the pan from heat, skim off any foam on the surface, and carefully ladle the hot jelly into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.
- Seal jars: Wipe the rims clean, apply lids and screw on the rings tightly.
- Process jars in boiling water bath: Place jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper sealing and preservation.
- Cool and store: Remove jars carefully and let them cool completely on a towel-lined surface. Check that each jar is sealed before storing in a cool, dark place.
Notes
- If fresh pineapple is unavailable, canned pineapple in juice (drained) can be substituted.
- Adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing jalapeños or adding extra crushed red pepper flakes.
- This jelly complements cream cheese and crackers beautifully and also serves as a flavorful glaze for grilled meats.
