Compote made from grapes and apples is a drink that can be prepared for the winter. The fruits go well together, complementing each other. Sealing compote does not take much time. The process is simple, and even a person who has never dealt with twisting before can handle it.
Recommendations before starting to prepare apple and grape compote
Experienced housewives know that an important stage in preparing the twist for the winter is the cleanliness and sterility of the jars.Many detergents allow you to wash glass containers without additional hassle. The best option is cold water and soda. The product will perfectly remove all dirt and will not leave streaks on the jar.
After washing, the jars are sterilized over hot steam. This can also be done in any convenient way:
- using a kettle;
- multicookers;
- special device - lid.
You can buy a lid at a hardware store that has a hole in the middle. It is put on the pan, and a jar is placed on top. Hot steam enters the jar through the hole, and thus the sterilization procedure takes place. 3-5 minutes are enough and the jar will be clean.
How to choose apples for compote
Any variety of apples is suitable for making this drink. They can be white, yellow or red. If these are sour varieties, more sugar is added when cooking the syrup to even out the taste. Since apples slightly color the sugar syrup, the compote may turn out light. You can add blue grapes to it, and the drink will become rich. If the grapes are green or pink, then the compote will have a delicate shade.
Not everyone likes dark colors, but a slightly colored drink looks great in a can.
In addition to the variety and color, attention is also paid to the size of the fruit. If it is large, it needs to be cut into 4 parts and the core removed. If the apples are medium, they are thrown into the jar whole. At the same time, they make sure that they fit through the neck without any problems.
Preparing the grapes
For cooking compote take grapes any kind. It can be white, green, yellow or blue. The shade of the grapes will affect the richness of the drink. The whole bunch is placed in the jar or the berries are picked off.
The grapes must be washed thoroughly.As a rule, the bunches are covered with dust and small midges. Running water will not completely clean the fruit. To do this, place the twigs in a bowl and fill with plenty of water. After 30-40 minutes, the contamination will disappear on its own.
Cooking recipes
There are many ways to prepare a flavorful drink for the winter. The chosen method affects the taste of the compote. Some take longer to cook. Everyone chooses what they like best.
A simple recipe for the winter
For the compote you will need:
- apples;
- grape;
- water;
- sugar.
Preparation:
- Wash the apples and cut into 4 parts. Remove the core with seeds.
- Wash the grapes and pick them off the grapes.
- Pour a glass of grape berries and 4 apple slices into the prepared jars.
- In a saucepan, mix sugar with water, 1 tbsp. sugar per 3 liters of water.
- Stir the water until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil and leave over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Pour the boiling syrup into the jar in small portions, first lowering a wooden spatula into it. This will prevent the container from bursting.
After the jar is full, you can cover it with a lid and roll it up with a key. The containers with compote are covered with a blanket and left to cool completely. At first the color will be light, but gradually it will darken. The drink can be enjoyed not only in winter. It will become drinkable 3 weeks after seaming.
Without sterilization
This method is slightly different from the previous one:
- The prepared apples will have to be finely chopped - a prerequisite for the recipe.
- Divide the bunch of grapes into several small ones, and put all the fruits into a clean, but not sterilized jar. The jar should be 1/3 filled with apple and grape contents.
- Place the lids for rolling in boiling water and leave for 5 minutes.
- Prepare boiling water and pour it into jars, covering the top with lids. Leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Then drain the water from the jars into a saucepan and put it on the fire to boil again. Add sugar to it and cook syrup.
- Pour the liquid into the jar and seal.
When all the cans are rolled up, turn them upside down and wrap them in a blanket. This action is necessary for further pasteurization. When the drink has cooled completely, take it to a cool place for storage. As a rule, on the 2-3rd day you can turn the jars over and take them away.
With added lemon
Citrus fruits added to the drink imbue it with fresh notes. The compote turns out sweet and sour. It is especially good to use lemon if the drink contains varieties of grapes and apples that contain too much sugar. For one jar you will need only 2 slices or 3 semicircles. It is necessary to boil the syrup, and then pour it into the contents of the jars. Before adding lemon to the rest of the fruit, wash it in hot water. This promotes the release of essential oils to the surface of the peel. Under no circumstances should it be removed. Some housewives add citric acid instead of lemon.
With the addition of honey and spices
Various spices can be added to fruit compote. The most popular are honey, cinnamon and cloves. They will give the drink an incredible aroma. If the compote is rolled up with the jars sterilized, the spices are poured directly into the jar with the fruit. The method without sterilization requires boiling them in sugar syrup.
Cloves are added to both fruits and vegetables. The spice allows the drink to be preserved better.
Storage Features
Jars of compote are taken to the cellar or basement. The room should be dry and cool.Glass containers are placed on shelves not very close to each other, so as not to break after contact. Compote can be stored for no more than 2 years. It is best to drink it in winter and spring, and in summer make preparations for the new season.
