Cranberry Jelly

4 cups cranberries
4 cups water
5 cups granulated sugar

Combine berries and water in a heavy saucepan. Bring cranberries to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until all the berries are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.

Line a large colander with 2 thicknesses of cheesecloth and suspend over a large pot. Pour cranberries and cooking water into the cheesecloth-lined colander. Allow to drain without mashing the berries or squeezing the cheesecloth for 10 to 12 hours.

Discard berries and cheesecloth. Add sugar to the cranberry juice and cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour into sterilized jelly jars and seal with paraffin, if desired.

Makes 3 to 3 1/2 cups.