Elderberries

 

Gather elderberries and make juice by processing the berries (Snip large stems off.  The berries, leaves and stems are considered poisonous if RAW.  Once they are cooked, they are fine.) If using a steam juicer, each batch takes about 30 minutes and produces about 2 quarts.  I sterilize the jars, siphon off the hot juice into quart jars and add hot lids.  Screw the rings on and set aside the jars.  Let the berry pulp in the steam basket cool down and then transfer it to a large pan.  Proceed with your next batch.  When through with your batches, add all the pulp back into the steam basket and let set over night.  You should get 1-2 more quarts.  (If you don't have a steam juicer, then prepare berries by removing large stems.  Place in large pan, crush.  Cover with water and simmer at least 15 minutes.  Strain juice through a jelly bag.)

I save those quart jars until I have time over the winter to make jelly/syrup.

For jelly:

Combine and bring to a boil:

Approximately 4 c. elderberry juice.

1/4 c. lemon juice

Add about 3 to 4 cups of sugar, stirring constantly.  Bring to a boil.  Take off the heat.

Add one package of low sugar pectin or 6 Tbl.  Stir, whisk, making sure pectin is dissolved.  Bring to a full rolling boil.  Boil for 1-2 minutes. (Longer for high elevations.) (UPDATE:  I have discovered one secret to get a nice jel.  Use Agar instead of pectin.  A batch will require 2 maybe 2.5 teaspoons.  Yes, it is more expensive, but much less is used.) Can be ordered from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFNSX9TK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Remove from heat.  Skim foam if necessary.  Ladle into hot, sterilized half pint jars, add hot lids.  Seal.  Mostly it turns to a nice jelly. (when using Agar)  Sometimes it might be syrup.  Use the syrup on pancakes or add it to club soda or seltzer water for a refreshing drink. (1 cup of syrup to 4 cups of plain water or seltzer.)

UPDATE!  I made a great sugar free elderberry jelly with xylitol and agar. Bring 4 cups of juice mixed with 1 TB lemon juice to a boil. Have 3 cups of xylitol mixed with 2 tsp. of agar ready to add at once.  Whisk until everything is dissolved and blended.  Bring to another soft boil.  Then ladle into hot jars/lids as above.

Makes about 7 one-half pints.

No need to water bath.  Let them cool and they will seal.

To make a medicinal syrup, open a quart jar of the juice.  You can bring it to a boil with cinnamon sticks, cloves, fresh ginger.  Strain, then add raw honey (to taste—about 1 cup.  Bottle in smaller jars, keep in the fridge. Search the internet for different recipes.  Many add white willow bark, echinacea, goldenseal, lemon in addition to the spice herbs.  Can also use essential oils.  Blend them with the honey first.)

 UPDATE!  I made some elderberry gummies from my elderberry syrup (jelly that didn't gel). 1 cup of elderberry syrup, 

1/2 cup water, or natural fruit juice  

  4 teaspoons of agar agar powder 

 Combine the elderberry syrup and water (or fruit juice) in a pot on the stovetop on medium-low heat.

 Do not boil the mixture. Heat until very warm, but not boiling.

  Mix the agar directly into the hot elderberry syrup and water (or juice) mixture.

 Stir or whisk until the mixture is completely smooth.  Bring to barely a boil. Keep the mix warm while dropping into gummie molds.  Makes around 75 gummies.

For extra goodness, stir in a few drops of cinnamon essential oil and one or two drops of clove oil and 1-2 tsp of finely grated fresh ginger after the mix has heated to boil.