elderberry jelly

You all seem to be such proficient chefs. Well here is a place to share some of that cooking knowledge. Or do you have a cooking problem? Ask away. Jams and chutneys go here too.
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old tree man
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elderberry jelly

Post: # 208196Post old tree man »

Help please.................. my elderberry jelly has'nt set, i followed the recipie to the letter and no joy, is it too late to salvage them or do they go to the bin, :shock: :shock: :roll: :flower:
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208200Post battybird »

NO...dont throw it away!!! All your work....try reboiling it and get it to a higher temperature. Or add pectin (someone will know where you can get it locally) and boil it again. Good luck :thumbright:
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208207Post oldjerry »

Would it help when boiling to add unpasturised apple juice,that should have pectin (?)

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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208212Post battybird »

Sounds like a good idea...help... someone!!!...I am not an expert and my mistakes can be monumental!! :dontknow: I loaned my "bible" about jams, pickles etc to a relative yesterday and I rely on that to tell me how to sort these things out!
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208243Post Millymollymandy »

Well, I suggest if you are experienced in jam and jelly making, which I imagine you are :iconbiggrin: so you know pretty much at what point things usually set and you've done all the rolling boil for ages and it still won't thicken on the saucer test...... try adding a bit of lemon juice before bringing up to the boil again? Did you add lemon juice in the first place? I always mix elderberry with apple which helps with the pectin content but I think it still has some lemon juice added as well.

If it still won't set don't chuck it, you can use it as a syrup and drink it diluted!
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208307Post Thomzo »

I've always found elderberry to be a very soft jam, I think there's something in elderberries that stop it from setting.

If you really can't use it as it is, then how about using it as a sauce instead? Try warming it gently and then pouring over vanilla ice-cream - yum. Or use in place of syrup in sponge pudding.

Zoe

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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208308Post old tree man »

well i must admit defeat i tried all avenues and it did'nt set .......but........ thanks guys i did what MMM suggested and diluted some and used it as a cordial and it was great thanks again :wave: :flower:
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208315Post Silver Ether »

cordial is lovely and dont forget you can mix it in yogurt, over ice cream and in your porridge ... and it is really high in vit C and other stuff that protects against the winter nasties ... Please dont chuck it ... those beautiful, heavy, ripe, lushious berries have allowed you to pick .. so take the gift and enjoy.......
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 208321Post Millymollymandy »

It is lovely and I've just made some elderberry and redcurrant cordial and it tastes just like the liquid version of the jelly I made last year!!! :iconbiggrin: Sorry your jelly didn't work Russ but all is not lost. :thumbright:
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 209245Post citizentwiglet »

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............I made blackberry and elderberry jam on Saturday, in a sort of 70/30 mix. Both are low in pectin, but I did use that clever jam sugar (the one for soft fruits) and I added an extra tablespoon of lemon juice for good measure (how dare I deviate from the great Margeuritte Patten who only says 2 tablespoons?!!) and it got to a nice setting point in 7 minutes.

But now I quite fancy a cordial.....ho-hum......
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 209274Post Silver Ether »

Millymollymandy wrote:.

If it still won't set don't chuck it, you can use it as a syrup and drink it diluted!

:icon_smile: I was going to say that ... I have already finished a litre of cordial ..drinking it with haot water ... but I feeling sad a I know it will run out before winter ends ... :roll:
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 209302Post sheena »

I always use lemon juice and crab apples to help acheive a good pectin level with elderberries, give it a bash next time.
The cordial however, is delicious.

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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 209547Post old tree man »

I have just used the last jar of the elderberry cordial and my grandchildren loved it, on a more serious note one of my grandchildren suffer's from cerebal palsey and while he has been drinking the elderberry juice he has been "calmer" my daughter told this to her doctor and he basicly dismissed it :banghead: , but as far as i'm concerned the proof is in the results no E numbers,preservatives only natural berries it did work, i have now set out to make some more and we will continue to do so, so stuff the old dinosaur.
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Re: elderberry jelly

Post: # 209609Post old tree man »

:lol: :lol: never thought of that :lol:
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