Changing up a classic jelly for an outstanding Sun Dried version.

Over the course of the last two seasons of making gifts for friends I keep seeing the classic jelly which is called Christmas Jelly. Its a combination of red peppers and jalapenos floating in a sugar, cider vinegar jelly. It's sweet from the sugar and savory from the two different peppers. I have made a version previously with dried apricots and jalapenos which until now has been my favorite but I came up with an idea that seemed like a natural combination for a pepper jelly. Sun Dried Tomatoes!

So I put together a version adapting a Jalapeno Mint Jelly from the Complete Book of Small Batch canning to create my new "Christmas Jelly" which I call "Christmas in July Jelly". The sun dried tomatoes, best during the summer months gives this jelly a robust flavor. It still has the "sweet heat" but now the deep flavor of the tomatoes are a compliment to the jalapenos zing.

Here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Christmas in July Jelly
1 cup water

Christmas in July Jelly

3/4 cup diced finely sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
2 jalapenos diced finely
3 1/2 cups sugar
2 T. lemon juice
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1 pouch of liquid pectin


In a stainless steel or enamel dutch oven combine all the ingredients except for the pectin. Bring to a full boil over high heat and boil hard for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in pectin.
Ladle into hot jars, wipe rims, add hot lids/rings and process for 10 minutes at a full boil in a water bath canner.  
Makes 5 half pints.

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