Ask the Master Consumer Advisor: How do I make Prickly Pear jelly?

Question: How can I make jelly from my Prickly Pear plants?

Answer: Caution: Always make Prickly Pear jelly in small batches. It is not likely to jell in large batches.

Recipe 1: The basic recipe from the Pima County Cooperative Extension Service calls for this procedure:

Wearing gloves and using tongs, gather about 2 quarts of pears, including a few that are not fully ripe.

Hold pears under running water and scrub with a brush to knock off small stickers.

Without peeling, slice pears in large pieces and put in large kettle with enough water to barely cover. Boil until tender, about 1- to 15 minutes.

Press with potato masher and strain through jelly bag or two thickness of cheesecloth. Spines will come off fruit during this process. At this point, juice may be frozen for making jelly later.

To 2 1/2 cups juice, add l l/4 ounce package powdered pectin.

Bring to fast boil, stirring constantly.

Add 3 tablespoons lemon or lime juice and 3 1/2 cups sugar.

Bring to hard gathered boil.

Cook for 3 minutes at a rolling boil.

Remove from heat, skim and pour into sterilized jelly glasses.

Seal at once with l/8-inch melted paraffin.

Recipe II: This second version, from Gloria Thomasson of Tucson, is made with liquid pectin.

Gather and wash 3 quarts fruit (use the Extension Service recipe)

Place washed fruit in large 6 quart kettle, with 3 quarts of water.

Cook for 20 minutes, mash with potato masher and cool an additional 20 minutes.

Strain juice through several thickness of cheesecloth. This amount of fruit should be enough to make 8 or more cups of juice.

 Measure 4 cups of juice in large kettle, add juice of l/2 lemon (if desired) and 3 cups sugar and bring to a boil.

Add another 3 cups sugar and cook and stir until mixture reaches full boil.

Add l bottle liquid pectin or 2 packets liquid pectin, and continue cooking over high heat for about 15 minutes.

Makes 6 glasses of jelly.

Repeat with remaining juice, for another 6 glasses of jelly.

Question: I am going to be away from home for 10 days. Do I need to have someone water my house plants during that time?

Answer: If you are gone for less than two weeks and near normal indoor temperatures are going to be maintained, houseplants generally can survive if thin plastic bags are loosely draped (Terrarium effect) over them after a good watering.

Leave the house plants with your neighbor if you will be gone longer.....from closing up the house for the summer.

Question: What can I use for cleaning window screens? What would you recommend if I have a small hole in the screen?

Answer: Nylon covered sponges are great for cleaning window screens. Clear nail polish will repair small holes in window screens.....from All About Home (Thanks to Ask Babs by Babs Felix).

Contact the Pima County Cooperative Extension at 648-0808 with your questions.