I finally tried making some jelly. I made plum jelly. I had never had plum jelly before and didn't think it would be too delicious, but I got some great plums at the Farmer's Market and then the grocery store had them on a great sale so I went for it. I can't tell how it turned out. It looks nice. It tastes sweet. The problem is I have never had plum jelly before so I don't have anything to compare it too. Like I said, it tastes sweet but that's about it. It doesn't really have a distinct flavor like all the jam has had. I can't tell if that's because I made it wrong or if that's just plum jelly for you. The only thing I can come up with is that maybe I boiled the fruit a few minutes too long before I set it up for the juice draining bit. The reason I care so much is apple jelly. Next month is apple picking month and I will definitely be making some apple jelly. And I want it to be perfect and delicious like I remember it. I even went ahead and dropped $4 for a box of pectin. That's right. $4. I had been to about 5 stores looking for it and it was out of stock everywhere. Maybe now that berry season is over or summer is almost over or who knows why, but I don't think stores will be restocking. And, I could easily end up back at the store paying another $4. It depends on how many apples I end up with. (And, if you are shopping around and find some regular-priced pectin please let me know).
Aside from the jelly I also decided to can some nectarines. I had bought a bunch of cheap nectarines and they were just sitting in the fridge so I decided to do something about it. It didn't go very well, and I haven't even tasted them so I don't how awful they might be. The recipe said to half them and fill the jars cavity side down. There were two options, pack them raw or pack them hot. I chose to pack them raw. I had quite the time getting them in the jars. I didn't have wide mouth jars. Also, they were raw and you know how firm nectarines tend to be. I wanted to just slice them up but I was paranoid that multiple recipes I read were so specific about halving them and placing them cavity side down. I thought, is there a reason for that? I better follow my recipes. It was difficult.
And then one of my jars broke while it was in the pot. It smelled really good which makes me hopeful that the fruit in the other jars will taste good. But I don't know why it broke.
The whole experience makes me feel like sticking to jams and jellies.
