For the past couple of weeks I've been watching the area redbuds bloom and looking for the best place to get some blossoms. One of the big parks in town had some shorter trees (easier to reach blossoms) that were all getting good sun and blooming at the same rate. A couple of evenings ago it was time to strike.
The early redbud blossoms are bitter and have a bean flavor - they are part of the legume family. But as the blossoms open they become sweeter and more floral. When the blossoms are in near to full bloom, it's time to pick for jelly.
The early redbud blossoms are bitter and have a bean flavor - they are part of the legume family. But as the blossoms open they become sweeter and more floral. When the blossoms are in near to full bloom, it's time to pick for jelly.
For my batch I picked 8 cups of blossoms. I took off any stems with woody bits and rinsed all. Next I packed all the blossoms into a couple quart jars and poured boiling water over them to the tip top of each jar, sealing with lids. After reaching room temperature overnight, I put them in the fridge for the next day or so. Basically during this time you're wanting all the redbud color and flavor to transfer into the water they are bathing in.
At this point I drained the redbud "juice" from the blossoms and made jelly. Here's how:
- If you don't have 4 cups of redbud "juice", add water until you do and bring to rolling boil in a large pot.
- Add 1 package of Sure Jell and 1 T lemon juice. Bring back to a rolling boil that can't be stirred down.
- Let boil 1 minute and then add 5 cups sugar and 1 T butter. Bring back to a rolling boil that can't be stirred down.
- Let boil 1 minute, turn off burner.
- Fill 7 half pint sterilized jars with jelly liquid leaving 1/2" headspace, seal fingertip tight.
- Process jars based for an amount of time based on your altitude.
7 half pints of redbud jelly is more than plenty for me over winter, but some of these will be used in bartering for things like eggs.
It's not too late to pick...enjoy a light floral flavor and beautiful color!
Image credit: Cale Ruiz
It's not too late to pick...enjoy a light floral flavor and beautiful color!
Image credit: Cale Ruiz