Homemade Concord Grape Jelly

Makes 7 half pints

Total Time: Approx 4 hrs.

Ingredients:

For extracting the juice:

• 3 lbs. Concord grapes, removed from stems and washed
• 1/2 cup water

For making the jelly:

• 4 cups extracted Concord grape juice (see above)
• 7 cups granulated sugar
• 1 pouch liquid Certo fruit pectin

Instructions:

For extracting the juice:

1. Place grapes in a heavy-bottomed pot.
2. Add water.
3. Crush the grapes with a potato masher. This will speed up the extraction process.
4. Bring the grapes to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
5. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 mins.
6. Stir occasionally.
7. In the meantime, sterilize jars and caps.
8. Pour the cooked grapes in a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Allow to drip for a couple of hours.

For making the jelly:

1. Combine the extracted grape juice and sugar in a large heavy-bottomed pot.
2. Over high heat, stir together until the mixture comes to a boil.
3. Add the pouch of Certo and continue to stir the boiling mixture for 1 minute.
4. Remove the pot from the heat. 
5. Stir and skim the foam for approx. 5 mins. 
6. Ladle the jelly immediately into the hot sterilized jars. Leave 1/4 inch of headspace. Place a sterilized lid and screw on the top. 
7. Process the jars in boiling water bath for 5 mins.