Simple recipes for preparing grape compote for the winter at home in 3-liter jars

Modern industry produces a wide variety of drinks. But not all of them comply with accepted standards and some of them are not only harmful, but also dangerous. Therefore, it is better to make homemade preparations in the form of compotes. Compote of grapes for the winter is prepared in different ways and from different varieties. It turns out rich, aromatic and retains vitamins well.

Subtleties of preparing compote for the winter

The following features exist for grape preparations:

1. You can prepare a drink from grapes in whole bunches with twigs or just from berries. If the fruits are large, it is better to remove them from the branches - this way, debris will not get into the compote.
2. Bunches of small berries are preserved whole.
3. Some housewives remove the seeds from large berries.
4. If the fruits are large, but the seeds are not removed, they are pierced. This way they will not boil over and will remain intact.
5. Compote can be made only from grapes or an assortment of fruits and berries that ripen together at this time.
6. Various varieties are used, but those with a delicate aroma are preferred.
7. Citric acid is added to improve color.
8. You can add cinnamon, vanillin, cardamom. Grapes go well with these spices.

Compotes can be made with or without sterilization.

Which varieties are better to choose?

Currently, breeders have developed many varieties of table grapes that are excellent for making compote.

From white and green varieties, the compote turns out transparent. To give it color, it is made with other fruits or cherry and currant leaves are added to it.

Red grapes make a beautiful pink compote and can be made without additives. Blue and black berries make the drink dark and rich.

To prepare compote, many housewives prefer the Isabella, Kishmish and Lydia varieties. Muscat varieties are good in home drinks - Hamburg, Queen and Cardinal. You can prepare compote from any available variety, but it is better if the berries are hard.

Preparing the grapes before starting the process

Before preparing grapes in a jar, you need to prepare them:

1. It is better to collect it in dry, sunny weather.Bunches collected in the rain quickly deteriorate and the harvest may not stand.
2. If you plan to preserve grapes in whole bunches, they are thoroughly washed under the tap.
3. Remove garbage and dry berries, if any. They are usually present on small varieties.
4. Place the bunches on a towel to drain well.
5. If you are preparing a preparation with individual berries, they are removed from the branches, washed and laid out to dry a little.
6. The seeds of large berries are carefully cut out.

The prepared grapes are placed in jars and immediately proceed to further actions, otherwise they will begin to deteriorate.

Methods for preparing grape compote at home

Grape compote is made in various ways:

1. Jars can be sterilized, but this method leads to boiling of the berries, and the preparation loses its appearance.
2. More often, grapes are made without sterilization or with double filling. This way it turns out more aromatic and does not lose vitamins.
3. They make grapes on their own or together with peaches, apples, and pears.
4. Can be made with or without sugar. You can also replace sugar with honey.

In any case, it is important that the jars are well sterilized. Then the workpiece will stand well and retain its taste.

A simple recipe for a 3-liter jar

To cook grape compote for one jar you need:

• grapes - 1 kg;
• sugar - 1-2 cups, depending on the grape variety and taste benefits;
• citric acid - 0.5 tsp. (for sweet varieties);
• water - 2 liters.

Place the prepared grapes in a jar, add sugar, citric acid and fill with water to the top. Place a metal lid on top and send the container to be sterilized. You don’t need to cook the jars for a long time so that the berries don’t get overcooked.Enough for the compote to boil. Remove the jar from the sterilizer and close it.

Sterilize jars in special sterilizers or in a pan of water. They are filled with water up to their shoulders and the pan is covered with a lid. A cloth is placed on the bottom of the sterilizer to prevent jars from bursting due to sudden temperature changes.

Without sterilization

You can prepare compote without sterilization. It is boiled, as usual, in a large saucepan, then poured into jars and rolled up. In this case, the compote stands well and practically does not shoot.

But the disadvantage of this method is that the berries and fruits become very soft and fall apart the moment they are put into jars.

But if you use hard varieties and remove the pan from the heat immediately after boiling, the berries do not have time to boil. Then it is important to put them in the jar correctly. To do this, first pour the liquid up to half the container, and then carefully lower the berries into it.

Sugarless

Grape compote can be made without using sugar. It is useful for diabetics and better retains nutrients. It is also useful for people who want to lose weight.

This type of preparation is performed by sterilization. Sugar itself is a preservative. And if you don’t use it, you need to replace it with something. Therefore, be sure to add citric acid and boil the berries well.

It is better to use sweet and sour varieties. In winter, you can add honey or a sugar substitute to this drink.

Double filling method

Some housewives make berry compotes without sterilization, pouring boiling water or syrup over the berries. In this case, the jars must be pre-sterilized. To do this, place them in a cold oven, raise the temperature to 150 degrees and leave for 15-20 minutes.If you need a lot of containers, and the oven is not so spacious, place the sterile jars on a clean, ironed towel.

You can also sterilize dishes with hot steam. To do this, place the jars over a boiling kettle with the neck down and leave for 5 minutes.

Place fruits in prepared containers and pour boiling water over them. To prevent the jar from bursting, it is wrapped in a towel. Leave for 15 minutes, then drain the water and prepare a syrup from it from the remaining ingredients. Boil and pour over the fruit again. After that, all that remains is to roll it up and wrap it in a blanket.

You can prepare the syrup at once and pour it over the fruit twice. Or you can only use pure boiling water, and add sugar and acid to the jar after the first filling.

With honey

It turns out well if you make a homemade drink with honey. It is put into compote instead of sugar to taste and cinnamon is added. Otherwise, all actions are carried out as usual.

With apples

If you cook grapes with apples, it is better to cut them into slices, removing the core. If you remove the skin from them, they may become overcooked or darken.

To prevent this from happening, you need to mix them with sugar and citric acid, hold them for a while, and then put them in a jar with the grapes. Fill everything with water and sterilize.

With pears

You can make a delicious drink if you add late varieties of pears to the grapes. They are cored and cut into slices.

Ingredients:

• grapes - 1 kg;
• pears - 1kg;
• sugar - 1 glass;
• water - 1.5 liters;
• citric acid - 0.5 tsp.

Pears should be taken unripe; they retain their shape better and do not fall apart.

With ranetki

You get a delicious compote if you make it with heavenly apples. This is a variety of apples that has small fruits. They can be placed whole in a jar by piercing the skin.

Ingredients per jar:

• grapes - 1 kg;
• ranetki - 1 kg;
• sugar - 1 glass;
• water - 1.5 liters.

This compote looks beautiful with large white or green grapes.

With peaches

If you cook grapes with peaches, it is better to take dark varieties. They will give the drink a beautiful rich color.

Peaches can be used whole, or you can remove the pit. It is better to take grapes that are large, firm, and without branches.

Ingredients:

• grapes - 1 kg;
• peaches - 5-6 medium-sized pieces;
• sugar - 1 glass;
• citric acid - 0.5 tsp;
• water - how much will go in.

Place the fruit in a jar, pour boiling water over it and let stand for about 15 minutes. Drain the water into a saucepan, add sugar, acid, boil and pour back into the jar. Roll up and cover with a blanket until completely cool.

With lemon

If you make grapes with lemon, you do not need to use citric acid. Lemon gives the drink a delicate aroma and lasting color. They put a couple of slices in the compote and cook it as usual.

Features of storing grape compote

Grape preparations for the winter are stored in the same way as others. After the jars have cooled, they are placed in a cool, dark place. Basements and cellars are best suited for this. If you don't have them, you can store them in the pantry. The main condition is that there are no heating devices nearby.