Prickly Pear Jelly
Prickly Pear Jelly captures the vibrant magenta hue and subtly floral, melon-like flavor of cactus fruit, brightened with a touch of lemon. It sets to a glossy, spoonable texture thanks to pectin, delivering a balance of sweetness and tang that’s lovely on toast, biscuits, or cheese boards. Ideal for gifting or stocking the pantry after a seasonal harvest.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook30 mins
- Serves24
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Prickly Pear Jelly, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 25 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 29 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 93 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 86
- Heart Health
- 66
- Metabolic
- 41
- Digestive
- 42
- Inflammatory
- 28
- Performance
- 47
- General Wellness
- 1
Simmer 3 pint-size jars in a large pot of water until the jelly is ready. Wash the lids and rings in warm, soapy water.
- 2
Slice the ends off each prickly pear. Make one long vertical slit down each. Use the slit to grip the skin and peel it off. Discard the peel.
- 3
Place the peeled pears in a blender and purée in batches until liquefied. Press the puréed mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Discard the pulp and seeds.
- 4
Measure 3 cups of prickly pear juice and pour it into a large pot. Add lemon juice and pectin; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook at a boil until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- 5
Pour the 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 inside of the jars to release any air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with the lids and screw on the rings.
- 6
Place a rack in the bottom of a stockpot and fill it halfway with water; bring to a boil. Lower the jars, spaced 2 inches apart, into the boiling water using a holder. Add more boiling water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover the stockpot, and process for 15 minutes.
- 7
Remove the jars from the stockpot and set them on 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 it does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark place.
- Calories 169.01 kcal Moderate 8%
- Protein 2.24 g Low Source 4%
- Carbohydrate 43.47 g 16%
- Total Fat 0.15 g Low Source 0%
- Saturated Fat 0.04 g Low Source 0%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 36.18 mg Low Source 2%
- Dietary Fiber 5.08 g Moderate 18%
- Total Sugars 39.69 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 276.95 mg Good Source 21%
- Iron 1.0 mg Low Source 6%
- Potassium 436.52 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin A 38.81 mcg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin C 15.7 mg Moderate 17%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
About This Recipe
Prickly Pear Jelly is made with 4 ingredients and serves 24. It takes about 1 hr and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Lemon Juice, Pectin, Prickly Pear, and Sugar. Each serving provides about 169.01 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Prickly Pear Jelly made of?
- The main ingredients are Lemon Juice, Pectin, Prickly Pear, Sugar. The full list of 4 is above.
- How long does it take to make Prickly Pear Jelly?
- About 1 hr in total: 30 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 169.01 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Prickly Pear Jelly easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 4 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Prickly Pear Jelly healthy?
- Prickly Pear Jelly has an easyChef Pro health score of 43/100. Per serving, it provides 169.01 calories and 2.24 g of protein, or 4% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium. It contains Citrus, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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