Pepper Pomegranate Preserves...how can you resist...one last gift...

Well, alright, so a last minute invitation to a Christmas party won out over canning last night…but the good news is I was able to get things together tonight and as my husband prepared some vegetables for our dinner I canned up some Pepper Pomegranate Preserves!  I did prepare the pomegranate seeds during my lunch break today, but otherwise this is a seriously quick and easy recipe.  A definite crowd pleaser with it’s smoky (Santa Fe Chiles) and sweet (pomegranate and sugar) flavors.  It’s great with toast, duh, or cheese and crackers, or with pork or chicken and it’s very pretty to boot.  At the very least it’s a nice stocking stuffer…

Pepper Pomegranate Preserves

Make aprox. 4 - ½ pint jars

1 C Pomegranate Juice

3 C Pomegranate seeds (about 2 good sized Pomegranates)

2 ½ C Sugar

2 Medium  - Tart Cooking Apples, cored and chopped

2 tsp. crushed dried Santa Fe Chiles

Get your canning pot boiling and put in 4 - ½ pint jars to heat.  Warm lids in a second pot.

In a saucepan heat Pomegranate Juice to boiling.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until reduced to ½ C.  Add remaining ingredients and return to a boil.  Reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid portion is the consistency of honey.

Remove jars from pot and fill leaving ¼” head space, remove air bubbles, wipe rims, put lids on jars and return to canning pot.  Process for 15 minutes.  Remove and cool.

There you have it…ready for giving…little jars of Pomegranate goodness…

Hopefully some of you have enjoyed a bit of canning for the holidays…May you all be well, safe and enjoying the company of loved ones this holiday season - whatever your are celebrating!  Here’s to 2012 and all the canning opportunities that lay before us!