To ensure that juicy gooseberries last a long time, housewife-style canning cannot be beaten. The proven method of preservation works without any chemical additives. Start here on a journey through various procedures for successful canning.
How do you properly cook gooseberries?
To successfully preserve gooseberries, wash and stem the fruit before placing it in jars. Covered with water, add 4-5 tablespoons of sugar and simmer the jars at 75-100 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Then close and let cool.
Properly preparing gooseberries for canning
Gooseberries do not last long after harvest. Therefore, harvesting, cleaning and preserving take place as quickly as possible. The fresh fruits are first washed in lukewarm water. Then use scissors or your fingertips to remove the rest of the fruit stalk on one side and the dried flower residue on the other side of a berry.
To prevent the gooseberries from bursting when preserving, quickly pierce them with a small needle. This step is not absolutely necessary. Since the preserved fruits are stored in the glass jar, this measure is good for the look.
Clean glasses and work materials meticulously
Cleanliness is the top priority when canning gooseberries. Whether you use modern twist-off jars or traditional mason jars with a rubber ring; these should be cleaned with water that is as hot as possible. The screw caps are also boiled. Then let all materials dry on a clean kitchen towel.
Canning whole fruits – this is how it works
Once the preparations are complete, weigh the gooseberries. To fill a 1 liter jar, 750 grams of the fruit is required. How to proceed:
- fill the gooseberries into the preserving jars
- fill with water so that all the fruit is covered
- finally add 4-5 tablespoons of sugar
- place the unsealed jars in a pot of water
- simmer for 10 minutes at 75 to 100 degrees Celsius
- then let it cool in the water for another 10 minutes
Hang a cooking thermometer in the pot to check the temperature. Since the temperature rises gradually, the total cooking time extends to an average of 30 minutes, including the cooling phase. Last but not least, take the jars out of the water to close them with the screw lids or the rubber rings and glass lids. Now turn the preserving jars upside down until they have completely cooled down.
Skillfully cook gooseberries into jam
Gooseberries of all kinds taste delicious as a spread. Preserving the fresh fruit to make jam is easier than you might think. You need 1000 grams of cleaned gooseberries and 1000 grams of preserving sugar. Here's how to do it in no time:
- Pour the berries into a pot and press them lightly with the potato masher without crushing them
- stir in the sugar in 2-3 portions with a spoon
- put the lid on and let the mixture steep overnight
- Bring to the boil while stirring and continue to simmer for 4 minutes
Pour the still hot jam into twist-off jars and immediately close the lid. Store the jars upside down until they have cooled.
Tips & Tricks
Gooseberries do not have to be fully ripe for canning. If you like to eat the fruit sour, harvest it half ripe. This has the advantage that an overly populated gooseberry bush is relieved a little and the remaining fruits can ripen in peace.
