Cherry Conserve

Capture the essence of summer with this vibrant Cherry Conserve recipe, a delightful blend of fresh pitted cherries, citrusy orange zest, and warm notes of cinnamon. Sweetened naturally with granulated sugar and balanced by a touch of lemon juice, this homemade preserve is simmered to a luscious consistency, perfect for spreading over buttery toast, topping creamy desserts, or pairing with savory cheese platters. Optional slivered almonds add a delightful crunch, making this conserve a versatile addition to your pantry. Ready in just over an hour, with simple canning recommendations for long-term storage, this recipe is a must-try for fruit preserve enthusiasts. Whether refrigerated for short-term use or preserved for later, every jar promises a burst of fruity sophistication!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 900 grams fresh cherries (pitted)
• 450 grams granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 60 milliliters orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 30 milliliters lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 piece cinnamon stick
• 50 grams slivered almonds (optional)
• 60 milliliters water

Directions

Step 1

1. Wash and pit the fresh cherries. Cut each cherry in half to ensure even cooking.

Step 2

2. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and water.

Step 3

3. Stir the mixture well and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. This helps the sugar dissolve and draws out natural juices from the cherries.

Step 4

4. Heat the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 5

5. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 35-40 minutes. Stir occasionally and use the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the cherries for a thicker texture. If foam forms on the surface, skim it off with a spoon.

Step 6

6. After 35 minutes, check the consistency of the conserve by dropping a small spoonful onto a chilled plate. If it thickens and wrinkles when pushed with a finger, it’s ready. If not, cook for a few more minutes and test again.

Step 7

7. If using slivered almonds, stir them into the conserve during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Step 8

8. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard it.

Step 9

9. Carefully ladle the hot conserve into sterilized jars, leaving about 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) of headspace. Seal the jars tightly and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes if you wish to preserve them for long-term storage.

Step 10

10. If not processing for preservation, let the conserve cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1568.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2617.9

Total Fat 27.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 618.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.4g	0%
Total Sugars 573.3g
Protein 21.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 299.0mg	0%
Iron 5.6mg	0%
Potassium 2549.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 8.8%

Protein: 3.1%

Carbs: 88.2%