You can make preparations for the winter without spending many hours standing at the stove and without complex sterilization. The main secret is to use berries with a high content of natural preservatives, for example, gooseberries, rich in vitamin C.
The fact is that gooseberries contain a lot of ascorbic acid, a powerful antioxidant that allows you to preserve the berries without cooking. This method saves time and leaves maximum benefits. You don't have to sterilize the jars by boiling – a simple scald is enough.
Preparing berries and containers
Sort through 600 g of gooseberries, remove stems and spoiled berries. Rinse them under running water, remove small debris and remaining flowers.
Prepare jars (preferably 3-liter):
- wash them thoroughly with soda;
- rinse with boiling water;
- scald the lids.
Pouring and final stage
Place clean gooseberries into jars. Boil 2 liters of water and pour the berries to the brim. Cover with lids (without twisting) and leave to warm for 25 minutes.
Drain the water from the cans back into the pan, add 400 g of sugar and stir. Bring the syrup to a boil until the sugar is completely dissolved. For a spicy taste, add a pinch of cinnamon, reports the “Eating at Home” channel (18+).
Pour hot syrup into the berries right up to the neck, add a few blackcurrant leaves. Roll up the jars with sterilized lids, turn them upside down and wrap them tightly with a blanket until they cool completely. Store the preparation in a dark, cool place – this is a delicious compote that will give you vitamins in winter.
Personal experience
I used to be afraid of preparations – I thought it was hellish work for the whole day. But once I tried pouring boiling water over gooseberries without cooking, and now that’s all I do. The compote turns out transparent, the berries are whole, and I drink tea while my neighbors hover over the pots.
