CELESTIAL CHERRY CONSERVE

Celestial Cherry Conserve image

This recipe produces a rich, concentrated flavor that works perfectly on toast, ice cream or cheesecake. I have also had great results when substituting strawberries, blueberries, mango and complementary herbal teas. &dmash;Maureen Delves, Kamloops, British Columbia

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 6 half-pints.

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 medium oranges
6 cups fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted
3-1/2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons lemon juice
4 individual black cherry or wild berry herbal tea bags
1 cup boiling water
1 pouch (3 ounces) liquid fruit pectin

Steps:

Grate zest from the oranges; set zest aside. Peel oranges and discard peel; chop the oranges. In a large saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice and chopped oranges. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 6-8 minutes or until slightly thickened., Meanwhile, place tea bags in a small bowl. Add boiling water. Cover and steep 5-6 minutes. Discard tea bags; add liquid to cherry mixture. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly., Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into six hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 72 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 0 sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.