Type what you have

Ingredients

• ✓ prickly pear
• water
• lime juice
• stevia sweetener
• mint leaf
• ice cube

Instructions

1. 1 Cut prickly pears in half lengthwise and scoop out flesh with a spoon. Process in a blender until smooth. Push pulp through a fine mesh strainer to extract about 1 1/2 cups juice. Discard pulp.
2. 2 Place prickly pear juice, water, lime juice, stevia, and mint in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses filled with ice.

By Yoly

Ingredients

• ✓ prickly pear
• lemon juice
• fruit pectin
• white sugar

Instructions

1. 1 Simmer 3 pint-size jars in a large pot of water until jelly is ready. Wash the lids and rings in warm, soapy water.
2. 2 Slice ends off each prickly pear. Make 1 long vertical slit down each one. Use slit to hold skin and peel off. Discard peel.
3. 3 Place peeled pears in a blender; purée in batches until liquefied. Press puréed mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Discard pulp and seeds.
4. 4 Measure out 3 cups prickly pear juice and pour into a large pot. Add lemon juice and pectin; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Let cook at a boil until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. 5 Pour prickly pear jelly into the hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with the lids and screw on the rings.
6. 6 Place a rack in the bottom of a stockpot and fill halfway with water; bring to a boil. Lower jars 2 inches apart into boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover the stockpot, and process for 15 minutes.
7. 7 Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface several inches apart. Let cool for at least 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

By Jennifer Simons

Ingredients

• ✓ prickly pear
• lemon juice
• fruit pectin
• fruit pectin
• white sugar
• amaretto liqueur

Instructions

1. 1 Inspect a 1-quart jar and 1-pint jar for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any that are defective. Immerse jars in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
2. 2 Wear protective gloves to rub and rinse prickly pears under running water to make sure all spines are removed. Cut each pear in half; scoop pulp and seeds and place in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for 30 to 40 seconds. Transfer mixture to a strainer lined with cheesecloth set over a bowl. Gather cheesecloth into a pouch and squeeze out juice. Remove any remaining pulp from seeds and add to the bowl with juice.
3. 3 Combine prickly pear juice, pectin, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil that can't be stirred down. Add sugar and amaretto; stir until completely dissolved. Return mixture to a rolling boil, constantly stirring. Cook until jam is reduced by half, 5 to 7 minutes.
4. 4 Remove jam from heat. Skim off and discard any froth that may have formed. Dip a metal spoon into jam to test for desired thickness. Add another 1/2 teaspoon of pectin and boil for 1 minute more if you desire a thicker jam.
5. 5 Pack jam into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
6. 6 Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill it halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
7. 7 Remove jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store jam in a cool, dark area.

By Sandra Garth