Strawberry Preserve Delight is your go-to recipe for capturing the essence of fresh strawberries in a jar. Whether you’re spreading it on toast or using it to top your favorite desserts, this preserve is a simple yet rewarding way to savor the season’s bounty. Let's dive in and make some magic!
Strawberries: The star of the show. Fresh, ripe strawberries give this preserve its vibrant color and natural sweetness. Crushing them releases all those wonderful juices, ensuring your preserve is bursting with flavor.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the preserve and helps with gelling. It also acts as a natural preservative.
Fruit pectin: This is essential for the preserve to set properly. It ensures the mixture thickens to the right consistency.
Water: Used to dissolve the pectin before it’s added to the strawberry mixture, making it easier to incorporate evenly.
Pair this preserve with freshly baked scones for a delightful afternoon tea. It also works wonders as a topping for vanilla ice cream — just warm it slightly before drizzling. For a savory twist, try it with a cheese platter; the sweet and tangy flavors complement a variety of cheeses beautifully.
Start by hulling and crushing your fresh strawberries. You'll need about two cups of crushed fruit. Place them in a large mixing bowl, then add in the four cups of granulated sugar. Stir everything until the sugar is well distributed and let this mixture sit for about ten minutes. This step allows the sugar to start dissolving and the strawberries to release more of their juices.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the fruit pectin with 3/4 cup of water. Stir it together and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it reaches a rolling boil, let it cook for just one minute and then remove it from the heat.
Immediately pour the hot pectin mixture into the bowl with your strawberries. Stir continuously for about three minutes. This ensures the sugar dissolves completely and the pectin is evenly distributed, which is key for the preserve to set correctly.
Now, ladle the strawberry preserve into clean jars. Make sure to leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top of each jar. Seal them tightly and let them sit at room temperature for 24 hours. This resting period helps the preserve set up nicely. After 24 hours, you can store the jars in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy them.
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