Crab apples are ready in September, I have two trees in my garden.One is a really small, deep red variety and the other a small greenish yellow variety. Both make wonderful jellies.

Ingredients

• 2.5kg / 5 ½ lbs crab apples
• Granulated sugar
• 1.7 litres / 3 pints water
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Knob of butter (optional)

Method

1. Wash the apples well, cut into quarters ( don’t peel or core ) and put into a preserving pan with the water. Do not use bruised apples.
2. Bring to the boil and then simmer gently for about 1 ½ hours until the fruit is really soft and pulpy.
3. Stir from time to time to prevent sticking and add a little more water if necessary.
4. Spoon the mixture into a jelly bag and leave to strain for a few hours or overnight until all of the liquid has strained through.
5. Do not push the mixture through the jelly bag. The juice should run clear , any pulp will make your jelly cloudy. Discard the pulp.
6. Butter the base of a clean preserving pan.
7. Measure the liquid and add to the pan with 450g / 1 lb sugar for each 600ml / 1 pint of the juice.
8. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
9. Then boil rapidly for 8 – 10 minutes or until setting point is reached.
10. To test for setting point , remove the pan from the heat and put a spoonful of the hot jelly on a cold side plate and leave to set. If it wrinkles when you push it with your finger it is set.
11. If not set, boil gain for a minute or two and test again. And repeat until set.
12. Pot up immediately and seal with a lid in warm sterilised jars.

Notes

Will keep well for a year.