Fireweed Jelly is a unique treat and simple to make. What a great way to forage and prepare something wonderful!
Fireweed is a beautiful wild flower that grows all over Alaska, as well as many states in the Pacific Northwest. You can find all sorts of things made from fireweed, even fireweed honey!
If you are lucky enough to have these flowers growing in your area, might I suggest you try making this simple jelly?
I have actually brought fireweed seeds with me to Alabama. I don’t know that I’ll get them to grow, but I’m going to try!
Don’t Have Fireweed Where You Live?
Check out my recipe for Clover Blossom Jelly (with Canning Video)
How to Make Fireweed Jelly
This jelly uses only a few simple ingredients. Fireweed blossoms for one. I started with 8 cups of clean blossoms and 8 cups of water in a saucepan.
The poor flowers! I simmered them until they had created a strong fireweed “tea.” It takes about 5 minutes for the brown liquid to develop.
Strain the tea and combine the liquid with 4 packages powder pectin and 1/4 cup of lemon juice in a large pot. Bring it to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute. Add in 8 cups of sugar and boil it for another minute.
When you add the lemon juice to the liquid, the color magically becomes pretty again!
Ladle it into sterilized jars, leaving a half inch of head space and process them in a hot water bath for 15 minutes. I usually can these in half pint (8 oz) jars.
Article: How to Use a Steam Canner
Let the jars cool on a counter where there are no drafts and they can be left undisturbed. Jennifer watching the lids go “Pop!”
12 beautiful half-pints of fireweed jelly!
I’ll forever be grateful to my Alaska friend, Melissa, for sharing this wonderful recipe with me. And we will be very sad when the last jar is gone!
If you enjoy making your own preserves, you should check out my Strawberry Jalapeño Jam or Peach Habanero Jam recipes.
Did you Make this Recipe? I’d love for you to give me a 5 star rating in the recipe card below. If you share it on Instagram, please tag me! You can also post it to my Facebook Page.
