Know your fruit
The jalapeno gets its name from Xalapa, a town in Veracruz Mexico, where its been grown for centuries. As one of the most commonly used chile peppers in the United States, medium-to-hot jalapeños are available fresh and jarred. When dried and smoked, they are known as chipotles. Ripe jalapenos are a 4 - 6 inches long, fat, firm, and develop a bright sheen. They will turn a bright green, then begin to darken to a deeper green, then to black, and then to red. Red Jalapenos can be used in jalapeno jelly. It is thought tha red Jalapenos will have a slightly sweeter taste but heat should be no different. The heat or spicyness of a Jalapeno is dependant on growing conditions. If you don't like hot foods but want to enjoy jalapeno jelly, removing the veins and seeds will take away some of the heat.
Jalapeño jelly is a good use of the official state pepper of Texas. Many websites and articles claim the jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson and was first marketed in 1978. Other sources state jalapeno jelly was created but not marketed in 1978.