Preparing blueberries for the winter is an interesting, not complicated process. You can make many delicious preparations from the berries. But the main thing is that they will all be useful, since this berry is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Its beneficial effects on the organs of vision have been proven for a long time. Blueberries are a powerful antioxidant; pectins help cleanse the intestines and the whole body.
- Features of harvesting blueberries for the winter
- Specifics of choosing berries
- Preparing the berries
- What can you make from blueberries at home?
- Dried blueberries
- Can it be frozen?
- Blueberries mashed with sugar
- Homemade syrup
- Blueberry juice
- Wine recipe
- Jelly
- Blueberry jam
- Jam
- Compote
- Blueberry puree
- Marmalade
- Bottled blueberries without sugar
- Liquor
- Blueberry tincture with vodka
Features of harvesting blueberries for the winter
The methods for preparing berries for the winter are different, but their features boil down to general principles: correct choice and preparation.
Specifics of choosing berries
Blueberries should be fresh, with intact skin and not crushed. You can use crushed berries for freezing, making wine and liqueur.
Preparing the berries
The fruits must be washed, any debris (twigs, leaves) and spoiled fruits must be removed. The presence of waste is inevitable due to the collection method. Pour water over the berries, all the debris will float to the top, then it is easier to remove.
What can you make from blueberries at home?
Cooking options vary. Canning is not difficult, and the dishes turn out tasty and healthy.
Dried blueberries
Can be stored dry. To do this, use electric dryers, an oven, or you can simply dry it in a well-ventilated place, without direct sunlight.
Can it be frozen?
Can be prepared by freezing.
Sequencing:
- Place the washed berries on a cotton cloth and dry.
- Place portions into polyethylene bags or plastic containers. The size of the workpiece should be designed for one-time use, since re-freezing is prohibited.
- Place in the freezer.
Blueberries mashed with sugar
Making such a preparation is not difficult, the main thing is to choose the right proportions so that the product does not ferment. It should only be stored in the cold. If the product is stored in the freezer, 3 times less sugar will be needed. The advantage is the absence of heat treatment, preservation of vitamins.
Necessary:
- blueberries – 1 kilogram;
- sugar – 1 kilogram.
Sequencing:
- The washed berries must be completely dry, otherwise the preparation may ferment. Containers for preparation and storage - only sterilized.
- Grind the prepared berries using a blender or meat grinder.
- Add sugar, stir, let stand for half an hour, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Place in prepared container.
Homemade syrup
This preparation can be made for future use.
Necessary:
- sugar – 1 kilogram;
- berries – 1 kilogram.
Sequencing:
- Cover the berries with sugar, mash, and leave for 7-8 hours.
- After separating the juice, heat the mass a little, up to 50-60 O.
- Pass through a sieve. The cake can be used for compotes, jelly, and marmalade.
- Pour the resulting syrup into sterilized containers. Keep refrigerated.
Blueberry juice
If the syrup is not suitable for everyone due to its high sugar content, then the juice will appeal to everyone. Due to gentle heat treatment, vitamins and valuable elements are preserved.
Necessary:
- berries – 1 kilogram;
- sugar – 200-250 grams.
Sequencing:
- Cover the berries with sugar, mash, add water, heat to 70-80 O.
- Rub through a sieve. Heat to 80-90 O and simmer (do not boil) for 10 minutes.
- Pour into prepared containers.
Wine recipe
Necessary:
- blueberries – 4 kilograms;
- raisins – 150 grams;
- water – 2 liters;
- sugar – 1 kilogram.
Sequencing:
- Mash the berries, add raisins and a third of the sugar. Cover with gauze and leave for 3-4 days at room conditions.
- When signs of fermentation appear, strain the mixture. Pour into fermentation container. Pour the cake with water, wait a quarter of an hour, squeeze, pour into the juice.Add 300 grams of sugar, put on a glove with a hole or a water seal. Leave in room conditions.
- After 5 days, add the remaining sugar.
- After 25-50 days, the fermentation process will be completed, the wine will lighten, and sediment will appear. Drain through a thin tube without touching the sediment.
- Fix the resulting liquid with alcohol or vodka. Place in a cool, dark room for 2-3 months to mature. If sediment appears, pour using a straw.
Jelly
A tasty and healthy dessert that is prepared quickly.
Necessary:
- blueberries – 500 grams;
- sugar – 210 grams;
- gelatin – 10 grams;
- water – 150 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Cover the berries with sugar, pour in 100 milliliters of water, crush and boil for 5 minutes.
- Soak the gelatin in the remaining water.
- Pass through a sieve.
- Heat the swollen gelatin a little until completely dissolved, pour into the berry liquid, mix, pour into molds.
Blueberry jam
For the winter you can make delicious jam, which is suitable for desserts, pancakes, and ice cream.
Necessary:
- blueberries – 1 kilogram;
- sugar – 450 grams;
- water – 100 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Boil syrup from sugar and water, place berries in it. Leave for 2-3 hours.
- Boil and leave until completely cool. The berries should be saturated with syrup.
- Boil for a quarter of an hour, place in a sterilized container, and seal tightly.
Jam
You can also preserve blueberries into jam; Thanks to the pectin contained in the fruit, it hardens well.
Necessary:
- blueberries – 1 kilogram;
- sugar – 550 grams.
Sequencing:
- Grind the berries in a blender, add sugar.
- Cook for a quarter of an hour, place in prepared sterilized containers.
Compote
This preservation will appeal to both adults and children.The concentration of the drink depends on the number of berries.
Sequencing:
- Fill the jars with washed blueberries (1/2, 1/3 - optional). Pour boiling water over it. Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain the liquid.
- Add sugar, 60 grams per liter of water. Boil, pour, seal tightly.
Blueberry puree
Delicious preparations in the form of puree will appeal to children. The puree is prepared according to the jelly recipe, only gelatin is not used.
Preparation feature: boil the berry mass passed through a sieve for 10 minutes, place in prepared sterilized containers.
Marmalade
Processing and harvesting blueberries allows for the preparation of marmalade.
Cooking feature:
- Marmalade is prepared according to the puree principle.
- Next you need to use pectin. For 500 grams of berry mass you will need 15 grams. To prevent pectin from forming lumps, it must be mixed with sugar, stirring, and poured into the hot berry mass.
- Boil for 10 minutes.
- Place into molds and cut after hardening. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before use.
Bottled blueberries without sugar
Such preparations must be prepared with sterilization.
Sequencing:
- Fill the bottles with washed, dry fruits.
- Place in a container with water, put a cloth on the bottom. Sterilize for a quarter of an hour.
- Seal and fill the plugs with paraffin.
Liquor
Squashed and not fresh berries can be processed by preparing liqueur.
Necessary:
- sugar – 1 kilogram;
- blueberries – 650 grams;
- water – 1 liter;
- alcohol – 650 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Mash the berries, pour alcohol, leave for 5 weeks.
- After the time has passed, pass the mixture through a sieve.
- Boil syrup, combine with berry tincture.
- Pour into bottles and keep refrigerated.
Blueberry tincture with vodka
Making a tincture is not difficult; you can use it to make cocktails.
Necessary:
- blueberries – 550-600 grams;
- vodka – 750 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Mash the berries, put them in a jar, pour vodka. Leave for 3-4 weeks.
- Strain the mixture and squeeze out the berry mass. Pour the tincture into bottles and seal. Refrigerate.