Natural Strawberry Syrup Preserved for Winter

 Ingredients: For approximately 7.5 liters of syrup: -3 kg of cleaned strawberries -6 kg of sugar -3 liters of water -1 tablespoon of citric acid -1 tablespoon of salicylic acid or preservative

Carefully wash the strawberries under a stream of cold water, making sure to remove any impurities or soil residues. Let them drain in a colander to eliminate excess water. Once well-drained, remove the green stems so that only the juicy pulp of the fruits remains. It is recommended to weigh the strawberries to determine the exact amount needed for the recipe.

Next, prepare a large pot with a capacity of at least 10 liters, in which you will combine all the ingredients. Add the cleaned and fresh strawberries to this pot, along with boiled and cooled water. It is important that the water is at room temperature so as not to affect the composition and flavor of the syrup. Add the lemon salt, which will help preserve the color and taste of the fruits, and salicylic acid, dissolved in a little cold water, to ensure even better preservation.

Carefully mix the ingredients, gently crushing the strawberries to release their natural juice and allow the flavors to develop. Cover the pot and let the mixture sit for 24 hours. During this time, the strawberries will release their juices, and the flavor will become more intense. The next day, add the sugar, stirring constantly to help it dissolve completely in the flavored liquid. Let the mixture sit for another 24 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even dissolution of the sugar.

On the third day, you will notice that the mixture has acquired a special consistency and flavor. Use double cheesecloth to strain the mixture, separating the fruits from the syrup. Make sure to squeeze the cheesecloth well to extract all the delicious liquid. The resulting syrup can be bottled in sterilized bottles, which you will cap to protect them from contamination. Label each bottle with the date and contents, then store them in the pantry to enjoy later. This natural syrup will retain all the essential nutrients of the strawberries and can be used for 2-3 years without any issues.

The remaining fruits, after being drained, also deserve special treatment. Place them in sterilized jars, being careful not to overfill them. Pour the syrup over them, ensuring they are completely covered. Seal the jars and label them so you know what they contain. Then, store them in the pantry, where they will remain just as delicious and fragrant. This process not only ensures a long-lasting delicacy but will also remind you of the taste of summer even on colder days.

 Tags:  sugar fruits lemon strawberries