Wild Violet Jelly

 

I had a request to share the final wild violet jelly after it was processed and made, and I am finally getting the photos together to share that.   I apologize for the delay.

2 cups of wild violets with 2 cups of boiling water poured over them to infuse).  I was told to let it sit up to 24 hours, but I have let my infusion stay in the fridge after that for up to 3 days.  Strain the flowers from the liquid.

Add juice of one organic lemon.  The mixture turns from a blue-ish color to a more pink color.

Add the liquid to a pot on the stove, and add one box of powdered pectin.  Stir and bring to a boil.

Don't forget to get canning pot ready and prepare jars and lids.

Once it comes to a boil, add 4 cups of sugar and bring to a hard boil for 1 minute.

Fill jars with 1/4 inch head space, wipe rims, add lids and I put my jars in a water bath for 15 minutes.  The recipe I was shared, did not have a water bath time, but most jelly recipes say 10 minutes.

There are many recipes online for this jelly, and I read some stated add 1/4 cup lemon juice.

The lemon I squeezed measured exactly 1/4 cup, but not all lemons are the same size.  I have always used the juice of one lemon either way.

The recipe I used made about 8 - 4 oz. jars.

The final jelly is delicious.  I guess I would say a fruity? Either way, it turns into a beautiful colored jelly, delicious, and gift worthy.

I think I gifted this one year for Christmas, but to be honest cannot remember.  It doesn't make a lot, so we tend to consume it all ourselves, and the pantry thieves (kids) take a few too).

Enjoy! Do some research on your own on foraging wild violets. My next venture is to research more recipes using them in breads, salads, and cookies.

Yes, I have made dandelion jelly too, but for the amount of work, it really lacks flavor (just my opinion).  We do like the flavor of homemade Queen Anne's Lace jelly (also a fruity-ish flavor), but the color is almost clear for that jelly (note:  I am told if you are trying to get pregnant, do not consume the Queen Anne's Lace Jelly, but do your own research please).

I have also baked Dandelion Bread, and we loved it.  In fact, I totally forgot about it, with the dandelion season springing into action.  Although we mow often, so picking them is hit or miss, but the bread is delicious and worth the time to make (according to my taste tester reviews here).

Wild Violet Jelly  ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That

 I've been keeping an eye out for spring wild violets.  They make the most delicious jelly, and the color is so pretty (and different, which makes it great for gifting).  

Rain continues here, so we may see wild violets earlier, but with snow in the forecast for today, we may not see them until next month.

Are you seeing wild violets yet?

If you have wild violets growing, or you are able to forage for them, you can read about the first time (May 2, 2018 is the day I picked the violets) I made this jelly on this blogpost (link).  It's not only a delicious and beautiful jelly, it smells wonderful while you are making it.  The next year I canned it, I used the 4 oz jars for gifting.  You do need to pack your cups when measuring the violets.  The less you have, the lighter the color and less of flavor.  

(photo from The Crochet Crowd - they are currently working up a pattern/diagram)

It's been so refreshing to walk into our living room and not see my unfinished doily sitting on the coffee table anymore.  What a relief it was to finish it.  However, I have stumbled upon a new pattern coming out for those liners you put between glass dishes (or pans).  I have seen the photos, but the patterns are being written right now.  It would use up some more of my yarn ha ha!  And it would be a small project for hot summer days.  Two wins.  It's just something I can make for ourselves, and use up the yarn stash.

The weather, like I said has been off the charts.  The rain is once again pouring down.  Severe weather returns later in the day and throughout the night - Thunderstorms, and the threat of tornados.

This and That © April 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Asparagus/sausage breakfast bake ~ Wild Violet Jelly

 

Wednesday's sunrise started out pretty nice, although they said clouds would move in.  I was slow to start the day, but put on some dance music and got to work.

Breakfast ended up a sage sausage/asparagus bake with some home grown basil, garlic, and kale.  I added a bit of freshly grated parmesan cheese too.

I canned  jars of wild violet jelly.  I am so glad I picked the violets when I did.  Snow showers are expected today.  Wild violets are medicinal as well as making a delicious jelly.  I have a yard full of the white/purple ones too, but haven't picked any.

Wild violet jelly is a very fun process.

Violets are picked and steeped.  The color turns to a beautiful blue color.  Once the liquid is strained, and lemon juice added, it turns into a beautiful pink.  It smells wonderful and tastes even better.  A once a year jelly.

Wild Violet Jelly

The process of this spring jelly is so intriguing.  It starts out the color of this (above).

Wild Violet Jelly
2 cups freshly picked wild violets
2 cups of water, boiled

Place violets in a quart canning jar and pour boiling water over it.  Seal with the canning lid, allow to cool, and refrigerate overnight.

Day 2
Strain the violets from the liquid and add juice of one lemon or 3 Tbsp. of organic/non-gmo lemon juice.  Pour liquid into a steel pan and add 1 pkg. powdered pectin and bring to a boil.

Add:  4 cups of sugar, bring to a boil and boil 1 minute.

Power into sterilized jars, wipe rims, add lids and rims and place in canner pot to boil for 15 minutes.  (1/2 inch head space) Cool for 24 hours.

Yield:  approx. 4 - 1/2 pint jars or 8 4oz. jars.
(3rd time I made this, I squeezed the liquid from the violets, getting 1 more 1/2 pint jar of jelly.

Note:  I break this up into 2 days, since it takes a bit of time to pick all those violets.  You can just let the violets sit for a few hours, but I feel you get a better flavor and color if it sits over night (or up to 24 hours).

It ends up this color, and the house smells amazing.  I doubt I'll get enough violets to can this again, but I do have a good supply of jellies and jams.

Wild Violet Jelly makes a wonderful gift, so if you are already stock piled with jelly, gift it.  It's very pretty and tastes great!

I'm so thankful I picked them when I did.  Rain is coming, and possible snow this weekend.  Yes, I said snow.

Wild Violet Jelly ~ Garden Tidbits

My homestead has a somewhat good amount of wild violets.  

I was itching to pick some wild purple violets, for my "new" jelly to try this year.  I've never made it and we had a very busy weekend.  So...I picked the violets....