Fireweed Jelly

Step 1

For fireweed juice: Harvest about 8 packed cups of fireweed flowers. Rinse thoroughly and put in 2 quart pot. Add just enough water to make water level just below top of packed flowers. (Juice should be a deep purple color when finished. If too much water is used in boiling process, juice will be a brownish color. More water can always be added after flowers are boiled to increase amount of juice.) Boil flowers in water until color is boiled out and petals are a grayish color. Ladle juice into jar through cheesecloth to strain.

Step 2

Warm fireweed juice, lemon juice and butter on stovetop.

Step 3

Add Sure-Jell, bring to boil and boil hard for one minute.

Step 4

Add sugar and bring to full boil for one minute. Skim top of jelly.

Step 5

Pour into pitcher(makes it easier to fill jars)and skim again.

Step 6

Fill sterilized jars leaving 1/8 inch space at top. Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.