Blueberries contain many vitamins and are very useful for people with vision problems. Grows mainly in forests. Fruit ripening occurs in mid-summer, July.
There are many ways to preserve fruits for the winter. They are dried, jam is made from them and compotes are prepared. Blueberry compote for the winter is prepared both in the traditional way and with the addition of various ingredients that enhance the taste.
Subtleties of preparing blueberry compote
The main feature of the preparation is rapid heat treatment. The berry retains its original appearance, the maximum amount of vitamins and microelements.
The cooking technology is very simple and even a novice housewife can handle it. Does not require significant financial costs.
Contraindications include personal intolerance to the components of the drug.
How to select and prepare blueberries
Since ancient times, blueberries have been picked by hand. It's a long and labor-intensive process, but it's worth it.
Today, you can make the process of picking blueberries easier by using a special device in the form of a bucket with teeth. The collection process is easier, but more garbage ends up in the basket.
If you collect it yourself, then the blueberries can be used immediately.
When buying it from hand at the market, it is necessary to sort it, remove any fallen leaves, twigs, or crushed fruits. If this is not done, the quality of the compote may suffer and it will turn out cloudy.
Before picking and processing berries, you must wear rubber medical gloves. This will protect your hands from dark juice, which is quite difficult to wash off.
Next, the fruits need to be carefully washed using a colander and dried, spreading in a thin layer on a towel.
Methods for preparing compote at home
There are a large number of cooking recipes. You can select them individually, guided by personal taste preferences.
A simple recipe for the winter
Required ingredients:
- berries – 2 kg;
- sugar – 100 g;
- water – 2 l.
Cooking method:
- Prepare the berries in advance. Rinse under running water several times, spread on a towel and allow excess liquid to be absorbed.
- Sterilize jars and lids.
- Boil water with sugar in a saucepan and prepare syrup.Blueberries are a sour berry, so you need to taste the syrup to ensure it is sweet.
- Fill the container halfway with fruits.
- Pour boiling syrup all the way to the neck. Cover with lids and let sit.
- Next move on to sterilization. Gently dip the jars into boiling water and boil for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and roll with a key.
- Place it upside down on a blanket and wrap it well with a blanket to keep warm.
- As soon as the workpiece has cooled completely, place it in a cool, dark room.
- The compote takes on a dark, rich burgundy color.
With orange
Products:
- blueberries – 2 kg;
- orange – 3 pcs.;
- sugar – 1 kg.
Preparation:
- Pre-prepare the berries.
- Scald the oranges with boiling water and cut into circles along with the peel.
- Fill clean, steamed jars ⅓ full with berries.
- Add oranges at the rate of one medium fruit per 3-liter jar.
- Boil water in a saucepan and fill each jar to the top.
- Let stand for 20 minutes.
- Using a special lid with holes, drain the water into the pan.
- Add sugar and cook syrup.
- Fill the jars to the top and cover with lids.
- Seal and wrap tightly.
With apples
Compote can be made from any variety of apples. If you want a drink with sourness, it is better to use Antonovka. To obtain a sweeter compote, it is advisable to select sweet varieties of apples.
Products:
- berries – 2 kg;
- apples – 2 kg;
- sugar – 1 kg.
Cooking method:
- Rinse the berries under running water using a colander. Let dry.
- Cut the apples into slices, removing the core. The skin does not need to be peeled.
- Pour apples and blueberries into sterilized jars in a 1:1 ratio.
- Pour boiling water over and let stand for a while.
- Pour the liquid back into the pan and return to a boil.
- Add sugar. The syrup should taste sweet, slightly cloying. Blueberries and apples add sourness, the compote will be delicious.
- Fill the jars to the top and cover with the prepared lids.
- Seal tightly using a preservation key.
- Wrap it upside down.
- Send to the cellar for further storage.
With lemon
Products:
- berries;
- lemon;
- sugar;
- water.
The compote is prepared in the same way as the previous recipe, only instead of apples you need to add a few slices of lemon. Taste the syrup before final pouring. To increase shelf life, it is advisable to sterilize jars.
With red currants
- berries: blueberries and currants;
- sugar.
Preparation:
Pre-prepare the berries. Carefully separate the red currants from the branches. Divide in equal parts into jars. Pour in syrup and sterilize. After this, seal it tightly and store it.
Without sterilization
Preparing compote without sterilization involves pouring syrup twice a day.
Products:
- blueberry;
- sugar.
Preparation:
Pour the berries into the prepared container, filling it ⅓ full. Pour boiling water over it and leave for a while. The berries will release juice. Pour out the liquid and boil again, only this time adding sugar. Pour, completely filling the container. Roll up and be sure to wrap to keep warm.
With lingonberries
These wild berries make compote very tasty and aromatic.
To prepare you will need:
- blueberry;
- cowberry;
- sugar;
- water.
Preparation:
Place the berries in sterilized jars.Choose the most suitable method of canning with or without sterilization. After the manipulations, the compote is hermetically sealed and stored in the basement.
With blackberries
Ingredients:
- blueberry;
- blackberry;
- sugar;
- water.
Cooking method:
Compote is prepared in the same way. Both berries have a rich color, so the compote turns out very beautiful.
In a slow cooker
The cooking process in a multicooker takes place with minimal human intervention. It is enough to add all the ingredients and wait a certain time until the signal.
Ingredients:
- blueberries – 1 kg;
- sugar – 0.5 kg.
Preparation:
- Place the berries in a bowl and cover with sugar. Mix well.
- Pour water to a certain mark and turn on the “Cooking” or “Soup” mode. Features may vary depending on model.
- Wait for the sound signal.
- Strain the resulting compote and pour into sterilized jars.
- Sterilize before seaming.
Storage rules
If you close the compote, following all the rules of canning, then you can store it anywhere, even at room temperature.
Ideal conditions: dry and well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight. This could be a cellar or basement. The maximum shelf life is 2 years.
