How to Make Mesquite Bean Jelly

 I love Mesquite Bean Jelly. It's very easy to make. I found a better recipe on E-How than the one I have. This is SO good my minions. If you don't want to make it yourself or can't and would like to try it, there is a place following this recipe that will let you buy it. Hey, it's not cheap though.

How to Make Mesquite Bean Jelly
By
Yvonne Quarles


If you live in a place where there are mesquite trees then you know that in summer they drop a lot of bean pods, just for you! Here's a way to use those pods!

Things You'll Need:

    * mesquite bean pods
    * sugar
    * Sure-Jell
    * big pot
    * boiling water bath and instructions
    * hot pads
    * tongs
    * cup towels
    * jars, pints or smaller
    * lids to fit jars
    * water

1. Prepare jars and lids by cleaning and keeping in very hot water until ready to use. Gather all  supplies and ingredients.
 
2. You will use the bean juice to make the jelly. You will use the bean juice to make the jelly.  Fill boiling water bath according to directions, which will most likely be half full. When you add the filled jelly jars later the water needs to be 1 inch over the top of the jars.
 
3. Turn the fire on under the boiling water bath so the water can heat up and be ready for the hot jars after you fill them. Follow directions on your boiling water bath.

4. Pick up a pot full of reddish brown dried mesquite bean pods off the ground from underneath your mesquite tree. You will be using the whole pod and not the beans as they are too hard to shell.

5. Wash the pods with water, put them in a pot and cover with clean water.

6. Boil the pods for at least 20 minutes or until the water looks like tea. Strain the pods after they have cooled. You will use the juice to make your jelly.
  
7. Put 4 cups of the clean strained juice in a clean pot. Add 1 package of Sure-Jell and bring to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute.
  
8. Add 4 cups of sugar to the juice and then bring that to a boil. Boil for one minute.
  
9. Take out one jar at a time and pour hot jelly mixture into hot jar. Clean off rim with a wet cloth to insure a good seal.
      Put lid on, add cap and slightly tighten it.
 
10. Add filled jar to boiling water bath, which by now should have very hot water in it.
 
11. Continue filling hot jars, sealing and putting them in the boiling water bath. When all jars are full and in the boiling water bath, be sure water level is at least one inch above tops of jars. Bring that water to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Turn fire off and let sit for 5 minutes.
 
12. Carefully remove hot jars after processing and turning off boiling water. Place jars on towel out of draft area. Do not disturb for 24 hours.


Tips & Warnings

    *Always follow directions on your boiling water bath as all are different.
  
    *Read Sure-Jell directions to familiarize yourself on how to make jelly.
   
    *Always read directions on your type of boiling water bath.
   
    *After opening keep in refrige


Texas Traditions has a nice Mesquite Jelly to sell if you want to try it.