Everyone associates cherries with sweet cherry jam. Why not move away from the usual standard and cook something unusual and interesting. For example, spicy pickled cherries for the winter, the recipe for which is quite simple, but the result is a delicious, aromatic dish, as an addition not only to desserts, but even to meat. In addition to the unusual taste and aroma, the berries retain valuable elements and acids. For your information, ellagic acid is a powerful anti-cancer substance.
Cooking secrets
When cooking, the set of spices is not important; if desired, you can use not only cloves and cinnamon, but also star anise, nutmeg, and cardamom.
The zest of citrus fruits: lemon, lime and orange goes well with pickled cherries.
If you do not have a device for extracting seeds, you can use a regular pin or hairpin.
How to choose the right cherry?
To obtain a high-quality, tasty finished dish, it is necessary to use high-quality fruits. The berries should be ripe, elastic, not limp, without damage or signs of spoilage.
Preparing containers
It is better to use small containers, from 0.5 liters to 1 liter. Containers for pickling for the winter are necessary:
- Wash thoroughly using soda.
- If the recipe does not require sterilization of the berries in the container, the containers and lids must be sterilized separately using any of the appropriate methods: in the oven, in the microwave, held over steam, or by boiling.
- Dry containers and lids.
How to pickle cherries at home?
For marinating, a classic recipe is used, which, if desired, can be varied.
Classic recipe
The recipe is basic; you can diversify it if desired by adding other spices, taking into account the family’s taste preferences.
Necessary:
- cherry – 1 kilogram;
- granulated sugar – 200 grams;
- cloves – 6 inflorescences;
- vinegar - 100 milliliters;
- vanilla – 5 grams;
- black pepper – 4 pieces;
- cinnamon – 15 grams;
- allspice – 5 pieces;
- laurel leaf – 3 pieces;
- mint – 6-7 leaves;
- cardamom – 8 grains;
- water – 450 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Wash the berries.
- To remove the seeds, use a wide, deep container, as the juice will splatter.
- Cover seedless fruits with 100 grams of granulated sugar, add 10 grams of cinnamon, 2 grams of vanilla and leave for half an hour.
- Prepare the marinade: pour the remaining sugar, cinnamon, vanilla into the specified amount of water, add cloves, peppercorns, bay leaves and boil for about 10 minutes.
- Pour the juice from the cherries into the marinade and continue boiling.
- Place the cherries in the marinade, boil for 2-3 minutes, and place in prepared containers. Seal tightly, and after cooling, store away.
In its own juice
A very simple recipe, but the result is an amazingly tasty berry. Ideal for decorating desserts, making cakes and pies.
Necessary:
- cherries – 1 kilogram;
- sugar – 500 grams.
Sequencing:
- Wash the berries, pick off the stems if there are any. Let the fruits dry.
- Place the berries in jars, sprinkling each layer with sugar. Cover the banks.
- Place in a saucepan (there should be a cloth at the bottom). Sterilize for 20 minutes. During this time, the granulated sugar will dissolve and the fruits will release juice.
- Close the containers, place them upside down, and cover until completely cooled.
With cucumbers
Sour, aromatic berries will give cucumbers a pleasant sourness and a unique characteristic smell.
Required for a liter container:
- small cucumbers – 450-500 grams;
- cherries – 250 grams;
- dill - umbrella;
- currant leaf – 2-3 pieces;
- salt – 10 grams;
- sugar – 20 grams;
- horseradish leaf;
- black pepper – 2-3 peas;
- vinegar - 30 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Wash cucumbers and cherries.
- Place currant leaves, horseradish, peppercorns, and dill on the bottom. Place the cucumbers tightly, sprinkle with berries.
- Add sugar and salt, pour in vinegar, add boiling water and place to sterilize in a pan of water for a quarter of an hour.
- Close, turn over and cover until completely cool.
Pickled cherries with pits - recipe
It’s unusual to see cherries as an appetizer for meat, but this spicy berry will be an excellent addition to meat dishes. In addition, cooking time is significantly reduced since there is no need to remove the pit.
Necessary:
- berry – 1 kilogram;
- salt – 25 grams;
- sugar – 50-55 grams;
- black pepper – 3 peas;
- allspice – 1 pea;
- cloves – 1 inflorescence;
- cardamom – 4-5 pieces;
- cinnamon stick;
- vinegar - 25 milliliters.
Sequencing:
- Place the washed berries in prepared containers. Pour in boiling water. Leave for 10-15 minutes.
- When the berries are warm, drain the liquid, add all the specified spices, salt and granulated sugar, and pour in 150 milliliters of water. Boil for 10 minutes.
- Pour vinegar (25 milliliters per liter jar) and hot marinade into jars with cherries.
- Cover with lids, place in a saucepan with water and sterilize for 10 minutes.
- Cover tightly, turn over, and cover until cool.
Treat storage
You can store a hermetically sealed jar for up to 2 years. After opening, keep the container with cherries in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks.
