The excitement began last week when the girls' class picked violets to make jelly. And today the jelly was ready. The best part? Everyone got a little jar to bring home.

Violet Jelly

(makes 4 or 5 half-pint jars)

2 heaping cups of fresh violets- no stems

2 cups boiling water

1/4 c. well-strained, clear lemon juice

4 cups sugar

3 ounces liquid pectin (Certo)

(optional: 1/2 tsp. rosewater)

1. wash violets, drain and place in heat-proof glass/non-reactive bowl. Pour boiling water over violets and steep for 2 hours. Strain through a fine sieve, reserving the clear, purple infusion.

2. place jars & lids in stock pot deep enough to cover by 2". Bring water to a boil, then reduce to simmer & keep hot till ready to fill.

3. to make the jelly: stir lemon juice & sugar into reserved infusion in a 2 qt. pan. Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Add the liquid pectin and continue to boil for 2 minutes, skimming any foam that may rise to the surface.

4. ladle quickly into jars to within 1/8" from the top. Clean rim & threads and place tops before filling the next jar. Screw bands tightly & invert jars on tea towel for 5-10 minutes. Jars should seal and pop shut within 10 minutes, as they cool. Sealed jars will last for up to 1 year in cool, dark storage. Open jars will keep for 3 weeks in refrigerator.

Thank you, Brydget, for the recipe.

The taste of spring indeed.

Post by Helen Bird : www.curlybirds.typepad.com