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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Clover, a hidden jewel!

Many of us, myself included, always thought of clover as a weed.
Recently, watching how much our bees LOVE it, I started finding out more about it...yes, it's good for the garden by putting nitrogen back into the soil. But, did you know it's also full of sweet honey-like flavor? I had to try jelly...

I needed two cups of flower heads...so I enlisted my husband and sons help. (The white clover is much smaller than the red clover flower. We picked both, but didn't mix them. Two separate batches.)
Red clover flowers. (Isn't it funny that these are called "red" clover, yet they're actually purple...)
Next, I steeped them in two cups hot water overnight. (I covered the bowl with cheese cloth, to let a little air in, and my cats out!
The next morning I strained the mixture, with the cheese cloth, and squeezed as much water out of the flowers as possible! Hoping for as close to two cups as possible, adding water to reach it if needed (but I didn't need to).
I was left with a pretty mucky looking liquid. I froze the white clover liquid, to be turned into jelly at a later date. And I used the red clover liquid for my first batch.
 The recipe I followed called for four tablespoons lemon juice; (it was good, but next time I'll probably try only two.) And interesting...when I added it, the liquid turned a beautiful soft pink color! Amazing...

I added one packet pectin and four cups of sugar. Processing as usual.

I ended up with a beautiful jelly! Tasty too. Not too sweet...perfect!
Do y'all have a yard overrun with clover? Don't overlook this precious jewel!


This was shared at the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop, From the Farm Blog Hop, The Country Homemaker Hop, and Share Your Cup Thursday!

-Live Simple, Be Happy-
Magnolia Holler

13 comments:

  1. This is so awesome! I had no idea you could make jelly out of it. Genius! I have noticed how much our bees seem to like the clover. David was going to mow last night, but he decided to wait a little while since the bees were all over the white clover!

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    1. I hope your bees are enjoying the clover and doing well! Our mowing was (pass due) as well, all for the sake of the bees!

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  2. I have made some oddball jellies in my time, but never clover. Maybe the person who named red clover was colorblind.

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  3. Wow! Clover jelly. You are an inspiration.

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  4. Hi Magnolia Holler!
    I would like to share this post on From The Farm facebook page and also Pin it on Pinterest. Your website isn't set up very well for pinning, so I have used 2 of your photos and combined them in a collage to share. It should give you a lot of hits. I am just asking for permission to use the collage I have created with your pictures. I won't publish anything without your permission first. If you respond right away I'll be able to share it. Please email me at myhealthygreenfamily@hotmail.ca to confirm and I can send you a copy of the collage. Thanks! -Leona from From The Farm blog hop and www.myhealthygreenfamily.com

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    1. Hi Leona! I hope you received my email, yes I am honored! Thank you so much!

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  5. I have made dandelion, red bud blossom and lilac jelly just this spring! I was so excited to read your post about making Clover jelly. Unfortunately in my back garden we only have white clover, but that is quite all right, I will be gathering clover flowers on Friday. Thank you!

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    1. How was the red bud jelly? I wanted to make lilac, but our bush didn't produce well this year. Lots of luck with your white clover jelly, I'm making a batch of that this weekend too!

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  6. Oh my gosh, who knew you could make jelly out of clover. Now that's what I call living off the land! Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  7. Hello, I would like to make this Jelly (and some more) but since it would be my first time, can you tell me what you mean by "processing as usual"? Or please, link me to another post! :-)

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    1. Hi Isabelle! I use the boiling water method for my jellies and jams. I haven’t posted about it yet, but I will very soon! Stay tuned… =)

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  8. I made this and it is AWESOME! Thank you for the recipe.

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