Clever Housewife

Prickly Pear Pepper Jelly with Cream Cheese and RITZ

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Homemade Prickly Pear Pepper Jelly which makes for one of THE BEST appetizers, served over cream cheese, and with crackers.

I personally love this version of pepper jelly. It’s nice and mild, and it pairs perfectly with cream cheese and Ritz Crackers. Of course, we always have Ritz Crackers on hand for school lunches, after-school snacking, you name it. We have found that they are a nice, sturdy cracker that can hold up to scooping an ample amount of cream cheese and jam, which is a must for this tradition.
To get started, look for cactus with deep-red garnet prickly pears (that’s when they are ripe), or your local grocery store may have them. I have seen them in some stores, so don’t worry if you don’ have cactus growing nearby. Don’t forget to pick up the cream cheese and Ritz, and you’ll be celebrating in no time.

 

Clever Housewife

Prickly Pear Pepper Jelly

A delicious homemade pepper jelly that serves well over cream cheese, with RITZ crackers
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups prickly pear juice
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 4 jalapenos seeded and quartered
  • 2 red peppers seeded and quartered
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed dry red-pepper flakes
  • 5 cups sugar
  • 1 packet pectin
  • 1 small whole red chili pepper optional

Method
 

  1. Bring juice, vinegar and peppers to a boil in a large pot. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove and discard pepper pulp. If you desire a very clear jelly you can strain, or pour through a cheesecloth.
  2. Measure 2 cups of liquid and return to pot.
  3. Bring to a hard boil, and add sugar all at once. Stir to dissolve, and then add the liquid pectin.
  4. Boil hard for 1 minute.
  5. Pour into jelly jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace.
  6. Add 1 small whole red chili pepper (optional)
  7. Wipe rims and seal with lid and ring.
  8. Process in water bath for 5 minutes.

RITZ; Life’s Rich.

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Comments

  1. Sarah Whetten says

    I’d like a little more heat in this. More peppers? Less vinegar? I’m not sure how to get more heat in this yummy jelly.

  3. Laura Bailey says

    I haven’t made this yet. With all Jams Jellies that I make I always tend to add my unusual flair. Ill be sure to let you know what I did and maybe even send you a picture of my work. 🙂 Thanks so much! I think this will be fabulous in my holiday baskets!

  8. Brad says

    I used this for a glaze over boudin balls like red fish grill does in NOLA. Worked perfectly 👍 thank you!

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