Spiced Wild Possum Grape Jelly (Easy Recipe)

Are you a fan of homemade jellies and jams?

Do you love the idea of picking your own wild fruit and turning it into a delicious, spiced jelly?

If so, you’re in luck because I’m about to share with you my all-time favorite recipe for Spiced Wild Possum Grape Jelly.

Made with just a few simple ingredients and a handful of warm spices, this jelly is the perfect blend of sweet and spiced.

So, roll up your sleeves, grab your pots and pans, and let’s get cooking!

5 Reasons You’ll Love This Possum Grape Jelly Recipe

1. Perfect blend of sweet and spiced: With a subtle mix of warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, this jelly is the perfect balance of sweet and spiced.
2. Made with wild possum grapes: This jelly is made with wild possum grapes, which are tangy and flavorful, making it a unique and delicious addition to your pantry.
3. Few ingredients required: You only need a handful of basic ingredients to make this jelly, which makes it easy to prepare and less intimidating for beginners.
4. Customizable: You can adjust the spices to your liking, whether you prefer a more pronounced cinnamon flavor or a spicier taste with extra cloves.
5. Homemade goodness: There’s something truly special about making your own jelly from scratch, and serving it to your family and friends.

Essential Equipment

• Deep pot: You’ll need a deep pot to hold the juice and sugar mixture and allow it to boil.
• Strainer: To remove the spices from the juice mixture, you’ll need a fine-mesh strainer or a cheesecloth.
• Canning jars and lids: To store your jelly, you’ll need canning jars and lids.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Possum grape juice (3 cups): Possum grapes grow wild in many parts of the United States and can be harvested in late summer or early fall. You can also use store-bought grape juice if you cannot find wild possum grapes.
• Cinnamon sticks (1 1/2 sticks): This warm spice adds a subtle sweetness and aroma to the jelly.
• Whole cloves (1 heaping teaspoon): These potent little spices add a wonderful depth of flavor to the jelly.
• Sure-Jell (1 pack): This commercial pectin product helps the jelly to set properly.
• Butter (1 tsp): A small amount of butter helps to prevent the jelly from foaming during the cooking process.
• Sugar (3 cups): This ingredient adds the sweetness to the jelly.

How To Make Spiced Wild Possum Grape Jelly

1. Spiced juice infusion: Low simmer the possum grape juice, cinnamon, and cloves for approximately 30 minutes, but do not boil to avoid losing the juice. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature before straining out the spices. Transfer the juice to a deep pot.
2. Adding pectin, butter, and sugar: Add Sure-Jell and butter to the juice mixture, then mix thoroughly. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it’s boiling, add 3 cups of sugar and mix well.
3. Boiling and testing: Once the mixture returns to a boil, let it continue to boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Test the jelly’s thickness by placing a small amount onto a cold plate, allowing it to cool for a few moments. If the jelly sets, it is ready. If it is too runny, let it boil for a bit longer.
4. Canning: Ladle the hot mixture into sterilized canning jars, leaving around 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims with a damp cloth and place the lids on. Tighten band lids and store in a cool, dark place.

5 Expert Tips and Tricks for The BEST Jelly:

• Harvest ripe possum grapes: For best results, select possum grapes when they are ripe. The grapes should be relatively easy to pull from the vine, and they should be plump and slightly soft.
• Use a deep pot: When preparing this recipe, use a deep pot to avoid the need to frequently stir the ingredients and prevent it from boiling over.
• Keep the mixture at a low simmer: During the simmering process, keep the mixture at a low simmer to keep the flavors from overpowering the grape juice.
• Use commercial pectin for a guaranteed set: Using a commercial pectin like Sure-Jell guarantees that the jelly will set, and you won’t end up with a runny or under-set jelly.
• Sterilize the canning jars: Make sure to properly sterilize your canning jars and lids to prevent contamination and ensure the jelly will stay fresh for a long time.

Uses For Spiced Wild Possum Grape Jelly

1. As a spread for toast or biscuits
2. As a glaze for roasted meats like chicken or turkey
3. As a topping for ice cream or yogurt
4. As a filling for thumbprint cookies
5. As a condiment for a cheese board or charcuterie platter
6. Mixed with cream cheese for a festive dip
7. Swirled into oatmeal or yogurt bowls for a sweet and spiced addition
8. Mixed with sparkling water or champagne for a festive mocktail or cocktail
9. As a gift for friends, family, or neighbors during the holiday season
10. Any other way that you would use regular jelly!

Recipe Variations (Optional)

• Spiced Wild: Add fresh berries like raspberries or blackberries to the recipe for a mixed berry flavor.
• Habanero Spiced: Add chopped habanero peppers to the recipe for a spicy variation.
• Ginger Spiced: Add fresh ginger to the recipe for a warm and bright flavor.
• Cider Spiced: Replace the water in the recipe with apple cider for a seasonal twist.
• Vanilla Spiced: Add vanilla extract or scraped vanilla beans to the recipe for a sweet and fragrant variation.

Substitutions (Optional)

• Sugar: You can use a sugar substitute like Stevia or honey for a less sweet option.
• Cinnamon sticks: Ground cinnamon can be used instead of cinnamon sticks, but the flavor may be less pronounced.
• Whole cloves: Ground cloves can be used instead of whole cloves, but the flavor may be less potent.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

• Storing: Spiced Wild Possum Grape Jelly can be stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry for up to a year.
• Freezing: This jelly can be frozen for up to 6 months. It’s best to use freezer-safe jars or containers.
• Reheating: Thaw the jelly in the refrigerator overnight, then heat on the stove over medium heat until it reaches the desired temperature.