Cherries with Sugar - A Different Kind of Compote

 Ingredients: 400 g large cherries 125 g sugar

To create a summer delicacy, nothing compares to preserved cherries, which retain the fresh flavors of seasonal fruits. This cherry preservation recipe is simple but requires a bit of time and attention to detail to achieve a perfect result.

The first step is to prepare our jars and lids, which need to be sterilized to avoid contamination. We place the jars and lids in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 15-20 minutes. This will ensure they are completely sanitized and ready to receive our delicious cherries. In the meantime, we take care of the cherries: we select fresh, ripe, blemish-free fruits, which we wash carefully under a stream of cold water.

Once the jars are sterilized, we take a jar and begin adding the cherries. We fill the jar up to 2/3 of its capacity, and then add 1/3 of the amount of cherries in sugar. This sugar will help extract the juice from the cherries, forming a delicious syrup during the preservation process. Once we have added the sugar, we close the jar with a screw lid, ensuring it is well sealed.

The next step is to prepare the jar for the boiling process. We wrap it in a kitchen towel to protect it from thermal shocks, then place it in a large pot, in which we have put a cloth napkin at the bottom. This will prevent direct contact of the jar with the bottom of the pot. We fill the pot with water up to the mouth of the jar and put it on the stove. When the water starts to boil, we reduce the heat and let it simmer for 35 minutes. It is important to maintain the temperature on low heat to avoid cracking the jars.

After the boiling time has elapsed, we turn off the heat and cover the pot with tablecloths or blankets to retain the heat. This will allow the preserves to cool slowly, creating a vacuum that will help preserve the flavors and nutritional qualities of the cherries. When the water in the pot has completely cooled, we check the lid of the jar; if it has made the specific click, it means that the desired vacuum has been created.

After we take out the jar, we notice that the sugar has not completely dissolved, and next to the cherries, a tempting syrup has already formed. With each passing hour, the syrup thickens and becomes richer, gently covering the cherries. This recipe not only brings smiles on winter days when we open a jar of cherries but also reminds us of the taste of summer, keeping it fresh and delicious.

 Tags:  sugar fruits cherries gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes recipes for children recipes for hepatitis recipes for hypertensives fat-free recipes