Green sour cherry jam for winter

Green sour cherry paste for winter: simple and delicious recipe

In search of an ingenious way to preserve the flavors of summer, green sour cherry paste proves to be an excellent choice. This recipe will not only fill your pantry with a versatile ingredient, but it will also add a touch of acidity and a unique flavor to your dishes, especially soups. Follow the steps below to achieve a perfect paste, with a preparation time of about 30 minutes and a shelf life that will bring you joy throughout the winter. This recipe produces enough servings for multiple dishes, depending on your needs.

Ingredients:
- Green sour cherries: 2-3 kg (you can adjust the quantity based on how much you want to preserve)
- Water: enough to cover the cherries in the pot

Step by step:

1. Preparing the cherries: Start by checking the cherries to remove any bruised or spoiled fruit. This step is crucial, as a single damaged fruit can affect the quality of the entire paste. Wash the cherries thoroughly under cold running water to remove impurities.

2. Boiling the cherries: Place the cherries in a large pot, adding enough water to partially cover them. Set the pot over medium heat and let it boil. When the water begins to bubble, check the cherries periodically. When you see the pits starting to separate from the fruit's flesh (about 10-15 minutes of boiling), it's time to move to the next step.

3. Straining and removing the pits: Using a strainer or fine sieve, drain the water and keep it, as it will contain the fruit's flavors. Once you have drained the cherries, use a fork or a food processor to remove the pits, leaving only the pulp.

4. Preserving the paste: At this point, the sour cherry paste is warm. You can choose to preserve it in freezer bags or in jars/bottles for winter. If you opt for jars, make sure they are well washed and rinsed. Scald them with hot water and let them dry completely.

5. Filling the jars: Fill the jars with warm sour cherry paste, leaving a little space at the top. Close the lids tightly to prevent air from entering.

6. Sealing the jars: If you want to ensure that your paste will last until winter, you can boil the jars in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. This process will ensure an effective seal. A simpler alternative is to wrap the filled jars in blankets until the next day to allow them to cool slowly.

7. Using the paste: Green sour cherry paste can be used to add a sour taste to soups, but it is also a surprisingly versatile ingredient in sauces or marinades. If you choose to freeze it, simply take a cube of paste from the bag and add it directly to the soup, without needing to thaw it.

Useful tips:
- Choose well-ripened cherries, but not overly soft, to achieve a paste with a pleasant texture.
- You can experiment by adding other spices, such as dill, to give the paste an even more complex flavor.
- If you don't have jars available, you can use clean plastic bottles that can be well sealed.

This green sour cherry paste recipe will not only fill your pantry with a delicious ingredient, but it will also transform your soups into true delights. Get ready to enjoy the flavors of summer even on the coldest winter days!