Recipe: Strawberry Margarita Preserves 🍓🍹
Description:
Indulge in the delightful fusion of strawberries and the zesty kick of margarita with this delectable Strawberry Margarita Preserves recipe. Perfect for spreading on toast, topping desserts, or gifting to loved ones, this preserve embodies the essence of summer in a jar!
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6 half pints
Ingredients:
- 6 cups strawberries 🍓
- 2 tart apples 🍏
- 1/4 cup lemon juice 🍋
- 4 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup triple sec
Instructions:
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Preparation:
- Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients and ensuring your equipment, including jars and lids, is clean and sterilized.
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Combine Berries and Apples:
- In a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan, combine the strawberries (hulled and sliced), tart apples (peeled, cored, and chopped), and lemon juice.
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Bring to Boil:
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Add Sugar:
- Once the mixture is boiling, add the white sugar gradually, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. This will help to sweeten and preserve the fruit.
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Cook to Gel Stage:
- Reduce the heat to a gentle boil, leaving the mixture uncovered. Stir frequently and cook until the mixture thickens and reaches the gel stage, which usually takes around 40 minutes.
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Incorporate Triple Sec:
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the triple sec. Return the saucepan to the heat and allow the mixture to boil for an additional 5 minutes. This step adds a delightful hint of margarita flavor to the preserves.
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Prepare Jars:
- While the preserves are cooking, prepare your jars by washing them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and sterilizing them in boiling water or a dishwasher.
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Fill Jars:
- Once the preserves are ready, carefully ladle them into the clean, hot sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion during processing.
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Process Jars:
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. Place the lids on the jars and tighten the bands securely. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes if you’re at altitudes up to 1000 feet. Adjust processing time for higher altitudes as needed.
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Cool and Store:
- After processing, carefully remove the jars from the water bath using jar lifters and place them on a clean kitchen towel or cooling rack to cool completely. As the jars cool, you may hear the satisfying “pop” sound of the lids sealing, indicating a successful preservation process. Once cooled, label the jars with the date and store them in a cool, dark place for optimal flavor retention.
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Enjoy:
- Your Strawberry Margarita Preserves are now ready to enjoy! Spread them on toast, swirl them into yogurt, drizzle them over ice cream, or incorporate them into your favorite recipes for a burst of fruity goodness with a hint of margarita flair. Share them with friends and family or keep them all to yourself for a taste of summer any time of year!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 586
- Fat Content: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 3.3mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 150.8g
- Fiber Content: 3.9g
- Sugar Content: 144.7g
- Protein Content: 1.1g
Review:
With an aggregated rating of 5 stars from 6 reviews, this Strawberry Margarita Preserves recipe has garnered rave reviews from delighted home cooks. The perfect balance of sweet strawberries, tart apples, and zesty triple sec creates a preserve that’s bursting with flavor and sure to impress. Whether enjoyed on a lazy Sunday morning or gifted to friends and family, this recipe is a must-try for any preserving enthusiast.