Over the garden wall black turtles

It’s fall! For me, the quintessential autumnal cartoon is Over the Garden Wall. Honestly, if you haven’t seen it, you MUST check it out. During their journey in the Unknown Greg and Wirt encounter little black turtles that seem to be evil, then seem not to be… it’s never entirely clear. What IS clear is that they are a perfect inspiration for a fruity, gummy treat! I present to you my Over the Garden Wall Gummy Turtles!

To make the gummies will need:

You’ll Need (for traditional gummies):

• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 3 Tbls. water
• 3/4 c. light corn syrup or glucose syrup
• 50 grams unflavored gelatin
• 15 grams powdered pectin
• 1/2 c. fruit juice such as tart cherry
• A turtle candy mold

Let me show you how it’s done! 

For the pectin & gelatin gummies:

1. Bloom the gelatin & pectin: In a small bowl whisk together the gelatin and pectin until incorporate. In a another bowl power the 1/2 cup of fruit juice. Sprinkle the gelatin & pectin over the fruit juice whisk constantly. This will set up very quickly. If needed switch to a spatula. Let set while you prepare the sugar mixture.

2. Boil the sugar. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan add the sugar, water, and corn syrup. Stir to combine. Turn to medium-high heat and stir to dissolve sugar in water. Once the sugar is dissolved and has come to a boil stop stirring. Wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals. Add a candy thermometer and boil until mixture reaches 290F.  

3. Combine sugar and gelatin mixtures. Remove sugar mixture from heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin and pectin. Stir until all the pectin/gelatin has dissolved – this may take a minute. Then add a pinch of salt, candy flavoring, and black food coloring. Mix to combine. Pour gummy mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup.

4. Fill the molds. Carefully fill the candy molds and let gummiessit for at least 2 hours at room temperature or until fully set. Then, unmold and enjoy

For Vegan Agar Agar Gummies:

• 1/2 c. 100% fruit juice
• 1/2 Tbls agar agar powdered
• 1-2 Tbls honey or agave as needed
• Black Food Coloring

To make the agar agar gummies – mix agar agar with fruit juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat until agar is melted and mixture comes to a boil. Stir constantly so agar doesn’t clump – about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add honey to taste, then add more flavoring if desired and black food coloring. Transfer to heat-proof measuring cup, then fill your mold. Set in fridge for 10-15 minutes. Unmold and enjoy!

For Vegan Pate de Fruit Gummies:

You will need:

• 2½ cups strawberry purée, strained
• 2¾ cups granulated sugar – divided as ¼ cup & 2½ cups
• ½ oz pectin
• 2 Tbsp light corn syrup
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar mixed with 1/8 tsp water
• Black Food Coloring

To make the pate de fruit gummies:

1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan bring fruit purée to a gentle boil in a over medium-high heat.
2. Whisk together the pectin and ¼ cup of sugar (this will help the pectin not clump up later).
3. Sprinkle pectin mixture evenly over the boiling puree in 2 stages, whisking to incorporate.
4. Boil 2-3 minutes, reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the corn syrup.
5. Sprinkle 2½ cups of sugar over the fruit mixture in 3 or 4 additions, whisking to fully incorporate
6. Cook mixture over medium heat until it reaches 225º F (107º C), stirring every 5-10 minutes. Use a candy thermometer. This will probably take 10-20 minutes.
7. Remove mixture from the heat when it reaches the correct temperature, and whisk in the cream of tartar and water solution.
8. Add black food coloring and mix to combine.
9. Pour fruit mixture into a heat-proof measuring cup. Then, fill your molds. It might help to grease your molds, though mine came out fine without.
10. Let set at room temperature for a few hours. Do not let set in fridge. Enjoy!

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