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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Homemade Grape Juice

One of the most exciting thing  that I learned to do, when I moved to the country was to make, and can my own concord grape juice. It's a lot easier than it sounds. We have a 40 year old grape vine which still produces concord grapes.




Ingredients:
canning 2 quart jars
lids
rings to fit over jars
grapes
sugar
large canner
Pick only the dark grapes, pull off the stems, place in the bucket to wash.
Make sure to wash jars with soap, and water place into the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes to sterilize.


My grapes are sweet, so I only use 1/2 cup of sugar, pour into jars.
Fill jars half way up with the concord grapes.
Heat up lids on stove , the rings rubber will soften.
Pour water in the jars 2 inches from the top head space.
Wet the top of jar with clean paper towel, then dry with another clean paper towel. This is to make sure there isn't any particle trapped between the jar,  and the lid preventing a perfect seal.
Place sterilized lid on jar, and ring over the lid to seal. Tighten normal. Do not over tighten or the jars won't seal properly.
Place jars in caner, place lid, bring to a boil. Lower heat to continue steady boiling. After boiling begins time for 30 minutes. The grapes will rise to the top, settling down after the juice cools. The vacuum is created when the jar contents start to cool it can take up to 10 minutes to hear that beautiful ping sound, some times the lids seal with out making a sound. Enjoy this juice after the season is over, lovely at Christmas time.

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