Rowans are often called berries when in fact the fruit is a pome, the same family as apples.
Incidentally, close up they really look like little apples. For poetic satisfaction, as well as practicalย reasons, it is a good idea to make rowan jelly with some apples in the mix. Apples give it a goodย flavour and help to set it as rowans do not have a high pectin content. You can make rowan jellyย exclusively with rowans but it is more difficult to get it to set. The quantities you make depend onย how many rowans you pick. The ingredients below follow a simple formula using a one to one ratioย for all the ingredients.
For example, for every 1 kg of rowans you pick use 1kg of apples and youย boil them in 1 litre of water. For every litre of juice you get from this you use 1 kg of sugar.
When you have picked the rowans remove the leaves and all the stalks. This can take a bit of timeย but it is an easy job. Wash them in a large bowl, with several changes of water until it comes outย clean.
Put them in a large pot with the apples and the water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 - 30ย minutes. When the rowans are very soft take it off the heat and mash them with a potato masher.
Strain this mixture through a fine sieve. Traditionally it would be strained through muslin or clothย but this is not necessary as you still get a clear jelly straining through a sieve. Leave this to dripย through. I usually leave this overnight to get every last drop.
In a large pot dissolve the sugar in the strained juice over a low heat. Now turn the heat up as highย as it will go and boil until it reaches 104หC. It should take 10-15 minutes of vigorous boiling.
Theย other way to tell that the jelly will set is to spoon a small amount on to a very cold plate. After 1ย minute the jelly should wrinkle up when you push it with your finger. It is a good idea to put 3 - 4ย plates in the freezer so you can retest it easily if need be.
Remove any scum from the top while boiling. You will be able to remove any remaining scum whenย it comes off the heat as it always rises to the surface. This should give you a crystal clear jelly.
Pour into cleaned and sterilised jars.
Rowan Jelly. Picture: FW
