Preparedness Hints

Chokecherries

I've also thought that a small

Discard the berries and mix the

jar of chokecherry syrup would resulting 3 juices. You should make a nice, inexpensive

have between 8 and 12 cups of

Christmas gift for friends and

juice. You can now use this

neighbors.

juice for either syrup or clear

jelly.

The best part of making

chokecherry syrup or jelly is

Chokecherry Syrup

that you don't need any special

equipment, just a large pot for

• 8 C. juice or 12 C. juice

In the early fall of the year the

making the juice. You do not

• 1 pkg. Sure-Jell pectin

wild chokecherries are ready to need a hot water bath canner. • 1/2 C. lemon juice pick. I make some chokecherry

• 1 1/2 t. almond extract

syrup with the recipe that

I had a fun time making and

• 10 C. sugar (if using 8 C.

follows in this newsletter. I

canning this syrup and had

juice) or 12 C. sugar if using 12

served French toast Saturday

tremendous satisfaction

C. juice

morning with this syrup to the

making something really great

great delight of my family.

for next to nothing (and a lot of Pour boiling water over clean Chokecherry syrup is also good it!)

new lids. Have clean dry jars

for pancakes and delicious over

ready to use. Mix ingredients,

ice cream.

Chokecherry Juice for Syrup boil for 2 minutes. Pour syrup or Jelly

into about 3 jars at a time within

The following recipe comes

1/8 inch of top of jar. Put hot lid

from Liza Wilson. You can also Add water to 1 gallon of berries on top and screw on band.

make clear jelly with the

to barely cover the berries.

Immediately invert jars for 5

chokecherry juice using the

Bring to a boil and simmer for

minutes, then turn jars right

recipe that comes with your

20 minutes. Strain through a

side up again. After jars are

commercial Sure-gel pectin.

colander, saving the juice and

cool check seal by pressing

You can easy pick a gallon of

returning the berries to your

middle of lid with finger. If lid

chokecherries in an hour and

pan. Barely cover with water

springs up when finger is

can make enough syrup with

and bring to a boil and simmer

released, lid is not sealed. (Just

that gallon for 10 pints of syrup. for 20 minutes. Drain as before, refrigerate sealing failures and This is often enough to last a

saving the juice and returning

use within 3 weeks.) Because

family for a year but if your

the berries again to your pan.

of the high sugar and acid

family really likes it, which ours Do this one more time for a content, you do not have to use

does, you might need a lot

total of 3 times.

the water bath method to make

more. Making chokecherry

this syrup or jelly. Continue with

syrup is easy and fun for the

your other jars in the same

kids with plenty of adult

manner.

supervision.

Personal and Family Preparedness

Vision: Each family uses principles of provident living in their daily lives.

Mission: "Increase awareness and practice of home production and storage.