Make an infusion of violet blossoms by filling a quart jar with blossoms. Then pour boiling water to fill the jar. Refrigerate overnight or for 24 hours. To 2 cups of infusion add the juice of 1 lemon and a box of sure jell. Bring to boil and add 4 cups of sugar. Bring to boil again and boil hard for 1 minute. Pour into sterilized jars and seal with parafin.I remember as a kid how difficult it was to find enough blossoms. It seemed to take forever. The most exciting moment was adding the lemon juice, which causes a color change in the infusion.
For years after I left home, I didn't have violet jelly. My mom had moved to St. Louis and we rarely managed to get out at the right time to get the violets.
Two years ago, we convinced my mom to come and live with us. We recently moved to a house in town, which has a wonderful yard which is carpeted with violets in the spring. There are enough that one can simply sit down in the grass and pick blossoms for 5 or 10 minutes without moving. Now I relish the time we spend picking violets (and it is my kids who complain about how it takes forever...
Revised 5/1/00 Brewer