Prickly Pear Jelly

[Red Owl]

I have never made any. I don't want to necessarily can any, just make a few jars and keep in the Refrigerator until used. Have any of you made any? When do you harvest the pears? Can you use unflavored gelatin to make the jelly? On the sieve? What is that? Cheese cloth? Something else?

 

[FishDFly]

Go to the below and type in Prickly Pear Jelly, it has all your answers.

​

https://www.allrecipes.com

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Add some jalapeno peppers to it if you like a little kick. I've never made any but have a friend who makes pepper jelly. Cerano peppers if you like a lot of kick.

 

[Red Owl]

That sounds like a good idea. I think I'll make half "regular" and then the 2nd half add the jalapenos.

 

[BillinOregon]

I missed my chance to make some this year, but made a couple of batches when I lived in southern New Mexico. Good stuff that I miss. I used gloved hands and kitchen tongs to pick the fruits and then burned off the tiny needles by roasting lightly on the Weber -- but a propane torch is probably faster.

 

[Ames]

I've made prickly pear margaritas before. Good stuff.

 

[Red Owl]

Well I'm going to cut down the recipe and make about 3-4 half pint jars and just keep in the refrigerator, not actually can them. I've never made any jelly.

 

[Boxmag1]

Welding gloves seemed to work the best for picking them. I used regular gloves and the little "hairs" went right through. A torch and tongs to burn off the stickers when at home.

Taste wise it turned out really good. Didn't set up like a jelly ever, more of a syrup.

 

[BillinOregon]

Made two small batches this fall. I can't stand to drive by prickly pears loaded with ripe tunas and just watch them fall off and rot -- and the dang things are inescapable here in the Rolling Plains of Texas.