Blueberries are good for the eyes and gastrointestinal tract, they support the immune system. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, iron and manganese, it has a wonderful aroma and taste. Dark blue beads decorate and complement the confectionery. The berries are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, compotes and jelly. A real delicacy is blueberry jelly, prepared for the winter.
The sweet can be prepared in a variety of ways and with the addition of other fruits and herbs.Following simple but important rules will help you prepare aromatic jelly - a worthy table decoration.
Features of preparing blueberry jelly
Making blueberry jelly is easy. To get a sweet treat with a dense jelly-like consistency, it is important to follow the rules:
- do not violate the proportions;
- Follow the cooking time indicated in the recipe.
How to choose blueberries before starting the process
A tasty, aromatic and vitamin-rich jelly for the winter is prepared from fresh forest berries.
Microelements are quickly destroyed. The longer the shelf life, the less of them remain. In an open container in the refrigerator, the berries retain their beneficial properties for 7 days.
Fresh berries are dense and dry. It is advisable to buy blueberries from trusted people in areas not exposed to radioactive radiation.
How to make blueberry jelly at home
Blueberries are easy to process. It is enough to sort out the berries from debris (leaves, small twigs) and rinse. For homemade preparations, you will need suitable containers (glass jars of different sizes), lids, a twisting machine, and a large saucepan.
Proportions:
- for 300 g of juice - 50 g of sugar.
Add a little water to clean blueberries, cover with a lid and put on fire. When the berries become soft, remove from the stove. Squeeze the juice through cheesecloth. Add sugar and cook until volume reduces. Readiness is checked by the thickness of the drop. If it does not spread on the plate, the jelly is ready.
Pour the hot mixture into jars and sterilize for 30 minutes. Roll up.
If you plan to use the finished jam in the preparation of confectionery, it is recommended to increase the amount of sugar. Otherwise, the taste will not be expressed.
A simple recipe for the winter
Blueberries contain large amounts of vitamin A.Heat treatment leads to loss of microelements. Therefore, caring housewives strive to reduce cooking time.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of berries;
- 1 kg sugar;
- 1 glass of water.
Recipe:
- Dry clean blueberries and puree them using a blender.
- Add sugar and water. Boil the syrup.
- Boil for about 2 minutes.
- Add berries to the pan.
- Stirring gradually, bring to a boil. Remove the foam.
- Pour into jars (pre-sterilized). Roll up.
- Place the jars on the lids, bottom up, and cover with a warm blanket.
- The jelly will be sweet and sour.
With gelatin
Gelatin is used as a thickener. It has a thick jelly consistency.
Products:
- 1 kg granulated sugar;
- 0.5 kg blueberries;
- 5 sachets of gelatin (total 50 g);
- 1 liter of water.
Recipe:
- Prepare gelatin: add 3 tbsp. spoons of water, leave for 30 minutes.
- Peel and rinse blueberries.
- Boil water.
- Carefully add the berries. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring regularly.
- Add granulated sugar and cook for a quarter of an hour.
- Gently fold the gelatin into the jelly.
- Pour into jars. Roll up.
Without gelatin
Ratio of berries and sugar: 6 kg to 5.
Sprinkle half of the granulated sugar over the berries. Wait for the juice to appear. Bring to a boil over low heat. Add the remaining sugar. Boil for 5 minutes. Wait for the mixture to cool. Boil again for 5 minutes and cool. After the third time, close it in jars.
No cooking
A delicious way to stock up on jelly for the winter and preserve its beneficial properties is to prepare it without heat treatment.
Proportions: for 1 kg of berries 2 kg of sugar.
Cooking method:
- Grind the berries with sugar (it’s convenient to do this with a blender).
- Pour the mixture into jars, preferably sterile.
- Sprinkle 2 tbsp on top. l. Sahara.This forms a kind of plug that protects against fermentation.
- Roll up.
- Store in the refrigerator or cool cellar.
From frozen berries
Blueberry jelly from frozen berries retains a greater number of beneficial vitamins.
You will need:
- 300 g blueberries;
- 20 g gelatin;
- 1 glass of water;
- 1 tbsp. l. Sahara;
- citric acid to taste.
Cooking method:
- Fill the gelatin with water in advance so that it swells.
- Defrost the berries and mash them.
- Add acid and sugar to berries.
- Put on fire.
- Heat the gelatin, stir, pour into the mixture.
- When it boils, turn off the stove.
- Place the cool jelly into molds and put in the refrigerator.
With pectin
The substance is used in confectionery and pharmaceutical companies to give shape to products. This useful supplement has an astringent structure and has a beneficial effect on the body. The substance normalizes metabolic processes and stimulates weight loss. Lowers cholesterol levels.
Ingredients:
- for 1 sachet of pectin;
- 1 kg sugar;
- 1 kg blueberries.
Cooking method:
- Combine clean berries with granulated sugar.
- Mash with a blender.
- Gradually add pectin.
- Bring to a boil over low heat.
- Cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour into jars and seal with metal lids.
With apples
Ingredients: apples - 1 kg, blueberries - 1 kg, granulated sugar is calculated in accordance with the volume of juice obtained: 1:1.
Wash the apples, cut out the wormy and broken parts. Cut with skin. Fill the pan with the processed fruits with water. Cook covered until soft.
Pour water over clean blueberries, cover the pan with a lid and cook until the berries are soft.
Drain the resulting juices, combine and put on fire. When 1/3 of the volume has evaporated, add sugar and continue cooking.Stirring alternately, remove the foam. Fill the jars, turn the lids down and cover with a warm blanket. On the second day, move the jars to the cellar.
How to tell if jelly is ready? Place a drop of liquid into cool water. If it retains its shape, the jelly is ready.
With lime
- blueberries 400 g;
- lime - 2 pieces;
- basil leaves;
- 2 cloves;
- 100 g sugar;
- gelatin - 2 sachets.
Cooking method:
- Prepare the lime: peel the zest and squeeze the juice.
- Pour gelatin with 2 tablespoons of water, it will swell for half an hour.
- Pass the berries through a sieve or blender, pour in lime juice, add basil and cloves.
- Cook for 5 minutes.
- Carefully pour in the heated gelatin.
- Pour the cooled jelly into containers.
With grapes
Making blueberry jelly with grapes for the winter is quite simple.
You will need berry juice. How to get it? Boil for 5-10 minutes until soft. Then drain the resulting liquid. Cook over low heat until 1/3 of the volume is gone. Now add sugar and cook. Stir occasionally. When the syrup thickens, roll into jars.
Take the products in proportion - 1:1.
With elderberry
Elderberry improves immunity. The combination of berries creates a healthy and sweet treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg blueberries;
- 1 kg elderberry;
- 2 kg granulated sugar.
Recipe:
- The berries should release juice; to do this, they are covered with sugar for 2-3 hours.
- Cook for 15 minutes over low heat.
- Place into prepared containers.
- They're rolling up.
The ratio of sugar and berries must be strictly observed, otherwise the consistency of ordinary jam will turn out.
How to properly store treats
Storage method blueberry jamprepared for the winter depends on the cooking method.
Berries that are not subject to heat treatment are stored in a refrigerator or cold cellar.
The rolled up jars are put into a cool cellar. The shelf life of the jam is about 3 years. A longer period changes the taste characteristics and vitamin composition.