The Bowl of Cherries - aftermath

Written by Translator on June 1, 2008 – 5:39 pm -

This is a followup to the diary the other day. I finished putting up the cherries yesterday, and had excellent results. Here is a picture of my bounty:

In the back are six pints of whole cherries for pie. I used just a thin syrup for them mainly for color preservation. It does not make a lot of sense to me to can sugar that may be added later. In front are two of the four half pints of preserves that I prepared. I actually got four half pints, but already had taken two to the neighbor who gave me the cherries.

He was a little surprised that I actually showed up with the preserves. I handed the jars to him, and he said, “There are more left on the tree. You are welcome to them if you want them”. I told him that I would likely come back tomorrow for the rest and he encouraged me to do so before the birds got them.

Of course, after I had filled the jars with the preserves I had to scrape the tempering pan, and boy was it good. Nice balance between sweet and sour, with a beautiful color. Note that the ingredients for both products are identical: cherries, sugar, and water. Neither the preserves nor the pie cherries have additional color. The preserves had more cooking, and that extracted some extra color into the liquid phase, but the key difference was the sugar content. The more sugar, the more color is retained. I think that the pie pints are a good compromise.

In addition to obtaining some excellent, natural food, I have made a new friend. Not a bad situation. Warmest regards, Doc.


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Posted in Diaries, Food, Frugality, Recipes |

9 Comments

  • At 2008.06.01 17:47, Asinus Asinum Fricat said:

    Please, send one jar via the tubes!

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    • At 2008.06.01 17:51, Translator said:

      I have spoken with engineer Scott, and he says that as soon as the dilithium matrix is reenergized and the pattern buffers purged, one will be one the way to you. Warmest regards, Doc.

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      • At 2008.06.02 12:40, Anne Hawley said:

        Very enterprising of you. :D

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      • At 2008.06.01 18:50, Scotia48 said:

        Doc,

        We just got the first of the cherries here from over the Cascades. They were sweet and brilliant! My daughter and future SIL loved them! ;-) Wish you well in canning more! (Can you tell, I’m on a high being with my loves?) Going to Seattle tomorrow.

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        • At 2008.06.01 20:36, Translator said:

          I am delighted that you and yours are connected this way. Preparing food for a family is perhaps the most bonding thing, other than children, of which I can think. Warmest regards, Doc.

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        • At 2008.06.02 05:22, biscuit said:

          Lovely story. I’m glad you’ve made a new friend and found such a tasty bounty.

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          • At 2008.06.02 05:23, Translator said:

            Thank you very much! If only I could find out how to sleep. Warmest regards, Doc.

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            • At 2008.06.02 05:43, Asinus Asinum Fricat said:

              I find that a glass of port taken before bedtime does the trick, with me anyway.

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            • At 2008.06.02 06:19, Translator said:

              I guess my problem is the definition of what “bedtime” is. Warmest regards, Doc.

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