Wild Violet Jelly

Ok, I know this isn't exactly a baking "adventure" - more of a "canning" adventure - but it was so much fun that I had to share. 

We have tons of wild violets in our yard and I remember seeing some where a recipe for Wild Violet Jelly.  So after "surfing the 'net", I came up with this recipe - it is sort of a compilation of all the recipes I found.  This is a GREAT activity if you have little kids!  Just make sure you tell them which purple flowers to pick!!

You will need 4 cups of violet blossoms - just the blossoms - not the stems.  It took me alittle over an hour to pick 4 cups and, yes, you will have a smurf finger or two (don't worry, it washes off with just soap and water!).  I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet light scent that violets put off.  Never thought that violets would have any type of scent - learn something new everyday!

Put your 4 cups of violet blossoms in a pan, pour 4 cups of boiling water over the blossoms and cover your pan.  Let that steep for overnight.  Basically, you are making "violet tea."

Now to make the violet jelly.  Here is the recipe.  Makes 5 half pints.

3 1/2 cups violet tea (discard blossoms - if you don't have enough tea, just add some tap water)
1 package (1 3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin (i.e., Sure Jel or something similar)
1/2 cup bottled lemon juice
4 cups sugar

1.  Put the 3 1/2 cups violet tea in a sauce pan, stir in the pectin and lemon juice - the liquid will turn a real pretty violet/pinkish color.
2.  Bring this to a rolling boil while stirring constantly.
3.  Add sugar.
4.  Continue stirring to dissolve sugar and bring to a rolling boil - boil for one minute.
5.  Remove the pan from heat.  Skim off any foam.  Carefully ladle hot liquid into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace.  Wipe the rims and adjust lids.  Process for 5 minutes in a boiling water canner.

NOTE:  This takes about a day for the jelly to gel, so don't be discourage if it seems to soft.  Just let it sit and don't bother it. 

This is a really good jelly.  Even my "McDonald's Addict" teenager son liked it (and that says a lot!).