SWEET CHERRY CONSERVES
About 8 half-pint jars
Please read How to Process.
Prepare a water-bath canner, gather all your canning equipment, and have ready 8 clean, hot half-pint jars.
Combine in a large heavy saucepan:
- 2 oranges, quartered and very thinly sliced (discard seeds)
- Water to barely cover
Simmer until very tender, about 15 minutes. Add:
- 1 ½ pounds sweet cherries, stemmed and pitted
- 3 ½ cups sugar
- 6 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- (6 whole cloves, tied in a cheesecloth bag)
Simmer the conserves, stirring frequently, until they reach the jelling point. Discard the spice bag, if using. Ladle into prepared jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe the rims. Place lids on jars and screw on rings until fingertip-tight. Process for 15 minutes. Let cool completely and store as directed.