Chokecherry Jam Food

HOW TO MAKE CHOKECHERRY JUICE

Steps:

• Begin by removing stems and washing your chokecherries.
• Combine the chokecherries and water in a large kettle.
• Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• Let the cherries cool; then pour them into an old, clean T-shirt or pillowcase set in a large bowl or pan. (This apparatus may then be suspended over the pan for several hours to allow as much of the juice as possible to drip out. It's ok to help the process along by squeezing the T-shirt or pillowcase. The remains (pits and pulp) can then be thrown away.)
• One pound of berries will yield approximately 1 cup of juice.

CHOKECHERRY SYRUP

Steps:

• Wash chokecherries, place in a large kettle, barely cover with water and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes till the cherries are soft.
• Mash gently and strain the chokecherry juice through a sieve or cheesecloth.
• Pour 3 cups juice into a large kettle; stir in the sugar.
• Cook on high, stirring constantly.
• Boil hard for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and skim foam.
• Add extract if using (almond extract gives a stronger cherry taste).
• To can: Pour hot syrup into sterilized hot jars to within 1/8th inch from top.

CHOKECHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Crush chokecherries thoroughly, one layer at a time. Place chokecherries and water in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes or until tender. Press through a sieve. Measure exactly 3 1/2 cups pulp into 6 or 8 qt saucepot. Stir in lemon juice.
• Stir pectin into prepared pulp in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming, if desired. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8" of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2 piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1-2". Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.).

MCP® CHOKECHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Crush chokecherries thoroughly, one layer at a time. Place chokecherries and water in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 min. or until tender. Press through a sieve. Measure exactly 3-1/2 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in lemon juice.
• Stir pectin into fruit in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 4 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

HOW TO MAKE CHOKECHERRY JELLY (LOW-SUGAR AND HONEY VARIATIONS)

Steps:

• Step 1: *How to Make Chokecherry Juice* If you have a juicer, use it! I don't, so I use this method:
• Clean, wash, and remove stems from berries
• Place in a large pot filled with enough water to just cover the fruit
• Simmer 15-30 minutes until fruit softens
• Use a potato masher to mash the juice out
• Strain through a cheesecloth-lined colander or jelly strainer
• Save the juice and discard pulp/pits
• Step 2: Mix chokecherry juice, lemon juice, and 4 teaspoons calcium water in a pot
• Thoroughly mix sugar or honey in separate bowl with 4 teaspoons pectin & set aside
• Step 3: Bring juice mixture to a boil
• Add pectin/sugar mixture, mix until completely incorporated, then return to a boil
• Remove from heat, get ready to place it in your sterilized canning jars
• Step 4: Fill the jars, leaving 1/4″ headspace
• Boil in a hot-water bath canner 10 minutes (add an extra minute for every 1,000 feet you are above sea level)

MCP CHOKECHERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Crush chokecherries thoroughly, one layer at a time. Place in saucepan. Add water and simmer 15 min. Place 3 layers of damp cheesecloth or a jelly bag in large bowl. Pour prepared fruit into cheesecloth. Tie cheesecloth closed; hang and let drip into bowl until dripping stops. Press gently. Measure exactly 3 cups juice into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Add lemon juice.
• Stir pectin into juice in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full boil and boil exactly 2 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 5 min. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

CHOKECHERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Wash fruit and cover with water; simmer 15 minutes.
• Strain juice.
• Measure juice into 6- to 8-quart kettle.
• Add pectin and stir.
• Bring to boil; add sugar, stir, and bring to a rolling boil.
• Boil exactly 2 minutes.
• Skim and pour into jars.
• Wipe rims and adjust lids.
• Process in boiling water bath for five minutes; remove to a protected countertop and let cool completely undisturbed.

CHOKECHERRY LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in glass jar.
• Shake every day for 30 days.
• Drain and bottle.
• This will taste very sweet at first, but if allowed to age at least six months will be nice and mellow.