Maraschino CherriesDay Forty-Seven (06.07.2012)
Processing: Hot Water Bath Canner 20mins
Yield: 6 x half-pints (6 cups)
Today marked day number four in preparing the cherries, a bit of time spent but very easy to make these. They're perfect to pop into your next cocktail, cake or cooking creation! :(^_^):
DAY 1Choose dark red, good quality cherries. Wash cherries and remove stones, keeping cherries intact. Dissolve the salt into the 8 cups of water over medium heat, pouring over cherries and allowing cherries to rest overnight.
DAY 2Firstly drain the cherries. rinsing gently to remove any brine.
Whisk the water, sugar, fresh lemon juice and red colouring until combined. Add cherries and stir gently.
DAY 3Drain cherries with a slotted spoon, re-heat liquid over medium heat until almost boiling, then re-combine with the fresh cherries.
DAY 4Pre-heat the jars by covering in water and boiling for 10 minutes, pre-heat seals and rings in simmering water for 10 minutes. Bring the syrup to a boil then turn the heat off, whisk in almond extract then add cherries back to syrup. Remove cherries with a slotted spoon, filling jars to 1 inch headspace. Ladle syrup into jars to 1/2 inch (1cm) headspace. Remove bubbles, adding extra syrup if necessary to correct headspace. Skim foam (if any) from the surface then wipe rims, apply seals and twist bands on to fingertip-tight. Process in hot water bath canner for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove jars after 5 minutes to a teatowel-covered bench to rest overnight. The next day remove bands, label and store in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months. I made 6 x half-pints of maraschino cherries following this recipe.
Ingredients:
4 1/2 pounds fresh cherries
8 cups water2 tablespoons kosher salt
8 cups white sugar
3 cups water
1 lemon, freshly squeezed
2 tablespooons red colouring
2 tablespoons almond extract
NOTE: I used some of the leftover juice to make Maraschino Cherry Jelly (recipe HERE)
Why not try making your own maraschino cherries like this, they make a pretty garnish for your next cocktail drink and a nice gift, too :(^_^):