Best Fall Berry Conserve Recipes

CRANBERRY CONSERVE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange zest, oranges, raisins and water. Cover and simmer over medium heat until cranberries are soft. Add pecans and sugar; stir well. Simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes, stirring often. Cool. Spoon into covered containers. Refrigerate. Serve as a relish with poultry or pork, or spread on biscuits or rolls.

BLUEBERRY CONSERVE

Steps:

• Bring water and sugar to a boil; add lemon, orange and raisins.
• Simmer 5 minutes.
• Stir in blueberries.
• Cook rapidly until thick, about 30 minutes.
• As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.
• Ladle hot conserve into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.
• Adjust two-piece caps.
• Process 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner.
• Remove from boiling-water.
• Cover with dry towel.
• Let stand until caps seal.
• Allow to cool completely before moving.

BERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Combine berries and sugar; let stand until juices begin to flow, about 10 minutes.
• Bring slowly to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• Add lemon juice, if using.
• Cook rapidly almost to gelling point.
• As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.
• Remove from heat.
• Skim foam if necessary.
• Ladle hot preserves into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Adjust two-piece caps.
• Process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.
• Yield: about 4 half pints.

CRANBERRY, APPLE, AND WALNUT CONSERVE

Steps:

• Simmer water, sugar, cinnamon stick, allspice, and half of cranberries (about 5 1/2 cups) in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries just start to pop, about 5 minutes. Add half of remaining cranberries (about 3 cups) and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel and core apples, then cut into 1/4-inch dice. Add to cranberry mixture along with walnuts and remaining cranberries, then simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in Calvados and simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool to warm or room temperature. Discard cinnamon stick.

FALL BERRY CONSERVE

Steps:

• Combine cranberries, sugar, and port in a large heavy saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium low; add chopped orange and chopped ginger and simmer until cranberries burst and mixture thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Mix in dried cherries and blueberries. Cool fall berry conserve completely. Stir in pecans and candied ginger. Can be prepared 3 to 5 days in advance and stored tightly covered in the refrigerator.

GRAPE-WALNUT CONSERVE

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 pounds seedless green grapes, 3/4 cup sugar, 4 wide strips orange zest, 1/4 cup raisins, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly and mashing the grapes against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the mixture coats the spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped walnuts. Fill sterilized jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace, then seal and process (see Cook's Note) for 15 minutes.