Apple Peel Jelly

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There’s something so satisfying creating something from scratch. It’s almost like you’ve cracked the code to adulthood. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way, right? For some reason the feeling is even more gratifying when it’s something my kids go through a metric ton of.

Jams and jellies were my gateway to gratification. They’re so easy to make and can. And that satisfaction is still a feeling that I get every time I pull something I worked so hard to preserve off our shelves in the winter. All that work in the summer was all for something. If you don’t want to can them, there’s even instant pectin out now where all you do is mix the fruit, sugar and pectin together, and it makes the jelly instantly! All you have to do is freeze it in portions. It’s like magic!

Back in the fall when I was doing our applesauce for the year, I posted a picture on Instagram of my prep for Apple Peel Jelly. A few were curious as to what on earth I was doing with a pot full of apple peels and cores, so I decided to write it down for you all.

This jelly falls into its own category of satisfaction. Not only is it super simple to make, because you know… it’s jelly and jelly is super simple to make, BUT it’s made from things that would have been tossed anyways! All I did was squeeze a little more use out the apples we had on hand. This jelly is also so beautiful, in my opinion, because the peels give the jelly a nice blush/pink color. I’ve made apple jelly with apple juice before, and it’s just not the same.

What You Need:

Apple Peels and cores left over from making applesauce. I used peels and cores from 14 pounds of apples.
Water
6qt pan*
Strainer
Pectin* — I prefer to use Ball Flex Batch Pectin. Unlike with boxed pectin, I don’t have to wait until I have a specific amount of fruit. I can make small or large batches of jams and jellies.
Water Bath Canning Kit* — I’ve had this kit since 2010. It’s been through hell and back, including being dropped on my deck, and it’s still kicking! The canner itself holds up to 7 quarts, or 9 pints, and is a breeze to use. Plus, it comes with other items you’ll need, like the headspace tool, jar lifter and funnel, without having to purchase them separately.
Jars, Lids & Rings*
Sugar
Butter

Please note: these instructions assume you have already made applesauce and want to use the peels and cores before throwing them in your compost pile. You can still follow these instructions if you’re using store bought juice. Just skip ahead to the second step, making the jelly, and continue with the steps from there.

Juice the Peels & Cores

Place your peels and cores in a 6qt stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the peels and cores are soft. It should take about 30 minutes or so.

Strain the peels from the juice. Allow the juice to cool; compost the peels and cores. I didn’t get back to the juice for a few days {soccer season and all}, and it was perfectly fine sitting in the fridge until then.

Before going on, you’ll need to measure the amount of juice you have. I wound up with 8 cups. Any more than this and the pectin may not set correctly, so you’ll have to divvy it up into separate batches of jelly.

When I did return to making the jelly, I noticed that there was pulp at the bottom. If you prefer to leave the pulp at the bottom, you could, but I chose to strain it out. There was a cup of pulp at the bottom, so I added in a cup of water to bring the liquid back to 8 cups.

Prep Your Jars

Unlike when you’re cooking applesauce down or peeling peaches, making jelly will go really fast. So while you’re waiting for the juice mixture to come to a boil, wash and sterilize your jars. For 8 cups of juice, you’ll need roughly 8 – 10 half pint jars. I didn’t have enough empty 8oz jars, so I used some 12oz jars and it worked out fine.

I’d also get your canner filled up and start heating up the water. Trust me, it’ll take longer to heat up than the jelly will to set.

Make the Apple Peel Jelly

Put the apple juice in your 6qt pot. Add in 6 tablespoons of Regular Pectin* {if you’re making a smaller batch with 4 cups of juice, use 3 tablespoons of pectin}. I also add in a teaspoon of butter to help reduce the amount of foam that the jelly makes.

Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, or a boil that doesn’t go away when you stir the mixture.

Add in 4 cups of sugar, making sure to stir constantly for the sugar to dissolve and not stick. Bring the mixture back to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Fill Your Jars

Ladle the jelly into hot jars, leaving about 1/4″ headspace. Using a damp cloth, wipe rim of the jar. Add the lid and tighten the ring until fingertip tight.

Place the jar in the canner and repeat until all the jars are filled.

Process the Apple Peel Jelly

When all the jars are filled, lower the rack into the canner and bring the canner up to a boil. If you’re like me and forgot to start the canner early on, you can place the jars in hot, non-boiling water and they’ll be fine. Just don’t place hot jars filled with hot jelly in cold water. And remember to start your processing time after the water comes to a boil.

Process half pints for 10 minutes, remembering to adjust your processing time for your altitude.

When the processing time is done, turn off the heat and remove the lid. Allow the jars to cool inside the canner for 5 minutes before removing. Place jars on a towel and allow to cool for 12 hours before checking the seal.

If any seals failed, reprocess the jars. Don’t be alarmed if your jelly still looks like a liquid at this point. It can take up to two weeks before the pectin will set completely. Remember to remove the rings before storing jars in your pantry.