Homemade Pomegranate Jelly

This last week, I went and visited my parents who live about an hour away from me (which I am so grateful for...) and we made Pomegranate Jelly from off our tree in the backyard. This fruit, once you open it up...has the most beautiful, vibrant seeds inside. They almost look like little gems...:-)

I have never had Pomegranate jelly before, so I was a little skeptical on how good it would be...and let me tell you (in case you think the same way as I did) this jelly is SO very delicious! Plus it makes for such a cute, festive, bright RED gift for your friends--

You will Need:

-About ten pomegranates (or you could buy pure pomegranate juice at the store if you don't want to hassle with the seeding and juicing)

-1 box of pectin

-1-2 lemons

-5 cups white sugar

-6 to 7 8oz. jars

First you want to pull open the pomegranate to get all the seeds out. **a special tip: seed the pomegranate under water that way the seeds wont splatter!

Drain the water and you're left with your little pomegranate gems...:-)

Then it's time to juice 'em! You'll be amazed at how much liquid you get out of these little seeds...

This is what they look like juice-less (in case you were curious?!)

In the meantime, prepare your canning by boiling your lids for several minutes. Leave them in the warm water until your ready to bottle it all up! (these MUST be hot in order for your cans to seal!)

Get another pot of water ready, to boil your bottles...

Next, measure out your pomegranate juice, and your lemon juice in a 6 quart pan. Put on stove until it starts boiling...(I think this lemon squeezer is the neatest thing...turns them into lemon pancakes *ha)

As soon as it starts to boil, add in the magic stuff--Pectin! (find it at any grocery store)

Place on high heat, bring it to a boil and stir constantly...otherwise it'll clump and burn (no bueno!) Continue stirring until it reaches (as my mother says) "a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down"
Then add in your 5 delicious cups of sugar! Boil hard for 2 minutes...Remove from the heat and let stand for about a minute...

You'll notice this weird foam forming (thats a tongue twister ha) simply scrape it off and discard.

Then comes the fun part--start pouring. Fill up the jars about 1/2" from the top

Make sure you wipe the rims clean!

Remember those lids in the hot water...now is the time to get them out. With tongs, carefully place the lids and screw them on nice and tight

Last but not least...set the sealed jars back in boiling water for about five minutes.

Then take them out...and as they cool you should hear them POPPING (which is a good thing...that means your jars are sealed!) When they are cooled...put them in the freezer or fridge...or wrap a nice little bow around them and wish your friends a very Merry Christmas!

for printable POMEGRANATE JELLY RECIPE...click HERE