Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Chokecherry Juice


4 L prepared chokecherry juice (16 c)
60 mL lemon juice (4 tbsp)
250-500 mL sugar (1-2 c)
Note: If the chokecherry juice is to be used for jelly-making, omit the lemon juice and sugar.
Make juice: Select ripe, firm, perfect chokecherries. Wash thoroughly, remove any stems, etc. In a large pot, crush berries (but not seeds) and simmer until soft to release juice. Strain juice through cheesecloth or a jelly bag for several hours. For a clear juice, do not squeeze bag. Discard skin and seeds.
Fill boling water bath canner with hot water. Place preserving jars in canner over high heat to sterilize. Place metal snap lids in boiling water and boil 5 min to soften sealing compound. Keep hot until ready to use.
Measure juice: To each 4 L (16 cups) prepared juice, add 60 mL (4 tbsp) lemon juice, and sugar to taste. Bring to a simmer (93 C or 200 F). Pack hot juice into hot sterilized canning jars, leaving 1 cm (1/2 inch) headspace. Remove bubbles. Adjust headspace if necessary. Clean jar rim. Seal with two piece metal snap lids. Screw metal band just until fingertip tight. Place jar in canner. Repeat with remaining jars. Adjust boiling water level to 2.5 cm (1 inch) above jar tops. Process pint or quarts jars for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Begin processing time when water returns to a boil in canner. Remove jars from canner. Let cool overnight on racks or folded towels out of drafts to cool. Check for seals. Snap lids will curve downward slightly in center. Remove metal screw band. Wipe jar, label and date. Store in a cool dark location. Refrigerate unsealed jars and use promptly. Use juice within one year of canning.  recipe  from Saskatchewan fruit growers association. Now I can put the juice up and make jelly later when we need it. I have foraged many chokecherries this year. I pick while the kids play in the pines making forts and a encampment .I just enjoy that kind of thing. It just amazes my kids that I can make food from the woods. Survival skills are important.You never know if you could get stranded in the woods on  a hike or something.

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