Real Maraschino Cherries Food

HOMEMADE MARASCHINO CHERRIES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Bring the water and pickling salt to a boil in a pot, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Let cool for 10 minutes, then pour over pitted sweet cherries. Cover and let sit 12 hours or overnight.
• Drain the cherries, discarding the brine, and rinse in cold water. Place in a bowl and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, and red food coloring, if using. Bring just to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and remove from the heat.
• Pour the liquid over the cherries, cover, and let stand for 24 hours.
• Drain the cherries, reserving the juice. Set the cherries aside. Bring reserved juice to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract, if using.
• Pour the warm liquid over the cherries.
• Pack the cherries with the juice in clean jars and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

MARASCHINO CHERRIES

Steps:

• Wash the cherries and remove the pits, leaving the cherries whole. Place them in a 1-quart sterilized jar.
• Add the sugar, salt and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 8 minutes. Turn off the heat. Stir in the maraschino liqueur, almond extract and lemon juice.
• Pour the syrup over the cherries and stir to coat. Cover the jar with a lid and let cool completely before refrigerating. Keep refrigerated, gently shaking daily to redistribute fruit and syrup, 1 week before using.