Grandma's Raspberry-Jalapeno Jam

Don't be intimidated, it is WAY easier than it seems & makes the PERFECT gift for holidays or birthdays.

Ingredients:
* 5 cups of fresh raspberries, washed.
* 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, washed, seeded, finely chopped.
* 4 Jalapeno Peppers + seeds from 2, washed, finely chopped.
* 5 cups Sugar
* 1/2 cup cider vinegar
* 1 box low-sugar or no-sugar pectin (in the Jello aisle).

Materials:
*8 jam jars for canning (8 oz size)
*8 canning lids and rings
**You can purchase these at Michaels, Wal Mart, Target & sometimes even the dollar store carries them! OR start saving little jars now and by the holidays, you will have plenty! ;)

Instructions:

Jar Sterilization:
1. Fill a large kettle with water and bring to boil.
2. Put jars upside down along with their lids.--Boil for 10 minutes.
3. Drain on clean dishtowels(bottom up) and set aside.
4. Fill kettle with water and bring to boil, set aside to seal jars once the Jam is finished.

Jam:
1. Measure out raspberries in a bowl and mush them until they produce some juice (Make sure that there are still large chunks of raspberries remaining.)
2. Add the chopped bell pepper, jalapenos and vinegar to the berries mix.

3. In a separate bowl, mix 1 box of pectin and 1/4 cup of the sugar.

4. Measure out remaining sugar in another bowl (4 3/4 cups).

5. Place berry-pepper mixture in a pot and bring to full boil over high heat, stirring the entire time so that the mixture does not burn.
6. Once the mixture is boiling, stir in the pectin mixture and bring back to a boil.
7. Add the remaining sugar to the pot and stir.
8. Bring to a vigorous boil again, while stirring continuously. Boil HARD (meaning, the mixture will continue to boil with BIG bubbles WHILE stirring vigorously.)--Stir for one minute after HARD BOIL begins.
9. Remove from heat, stir, ladle hot jam into sterilized jars. (***Place jars on a towel and then spoon the jam in, DO NOT touch the jars because they will be VERY hot.)
10. Wipe the rim of the jars completely clean and put on lids.
11. Place jam jars in your kettle of boiling water (LIDS UP) and boil for 5 minutes.

12. Remove the Jars of Jam and allow them to cool on a towel!

IDEAS:
* Spoon over cream cheese or warm brie.
* Mix 1/3 cup jam with 2 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar--use as a glaze over chicken or pork.

***I made a little recipe card and attached it to the jar-- if you plan on giving the jam as gifts! ENJOY!