How to make strawberry compote without sterilization

Strawberries are one of the first berries to ripen in the garden. But, unfortunately, it is characterized by a clearly expressed “seasonality”; you can enjoy it from the garden for only 3-4 weeks. Homemade preparations will help preserve the unique taste and aroma of summer. Most often it is used to make preserves, jams, and confitures. But you can also prepare strawberry compote for the winter without sterilization.

Features and secrets of cooking

Strawberry compote for the winter without sterilizing the jars is prepared according to the same principles as the drink using other berries and fruits. But certain features are still present:

1. Since the compote is prepared without sterilization, the cleanliness of the jars and lids is critical.
2. Fresh strawberries are not stored for a long time even in optimal conditions; the berries become soft. Therefore, you need to start preparing compote without sterilization for the winter immediately after collecting or purchasing them.
3. Strawberries are very “delicate” and can be easily damaged.Therefore, before preparing compote without sterilization for the winter, it is recommended to wash the berries in small portions, under a “shower”, and not under a stream of water with strong pressure. Or just fill it with water and wait until all the plant and other debris floats to the surface.

Selection and preparation of ingredients

The ideal option is strawberries freshly picked from the garden. But not everyone has their own gardens and vegetable gardens, so you have to buy berries. The best way to do this is in the markets.

Store-bought strawberries are not suitable for compote because they are most often treated with preservatives and other chemicals to increase their shelf life. This negatively affects the taste of the berry itself and preparations made from it.

What to consider when choosing strawberries:

1. The most suitable berries are medium in size. When cooked, large strawberries inevitably turn into an unappetizing mush, while small strawberries do not look very presentable.
2. The richer the color and denser the flesh, the better. In the drink, such berries retain their integrity, and it acquires a very beautiful shade. Of course, all this must be combined with a pronounced taste and aroma.
3. Only ripe berries are suitable for winter compote. Otherwise, the workpiece turns out to be very unaesthetic. Overripe strawberries are soft, not dense; they will not tolerate heat treatment (even without sterilization) without damage. The unripe one does not have a sufficiently rich shade of skin, and its flesh is almost white. When it is poured with boiling water, it acquires a beige tint.
4. Berries even with minimal mechanical damage are not suitable. Specimens with traces of mold and rot are also rejected.

To prepare compote without sterilization for the winter, you need to sort out and wash the strawberries. To minimize “injury” to the berries, they are poured into a large basin, filled with clean, cool water. After about a quarter of an hour, they are removed from the container in small portions and transferred to a colander, allowing excess liquid to drain. Then the strawberries are allowed to dry completely on paper or linen napkins.

The stalks and sepals are removed last.

How to make strawberry compote without sterilization for the winter

Strawberries in compote go well with almost any fruit and berries. Therefore, it is quite possible to “invent” your own recipe. Or choose your favorite one from the following. In each of them, the necessary ingredients are given per three-liter jar.

Recipe for strawberry compote with citric acid for the winter without sterilization

For such a compote without sterilization you will need:

• strawberries – 1.5-2 cups;
• sugar – 300-400 g;
• citric acid – 1 sachet (10 g).

Preparing compote is extremely simple:

1. Place the washed berries in sterilized jars. Mix sugar with citric acid and sprinkle on top.
2. Boil the required volume of water and pour it into the jar right up to the neck. In order not to damage its contents, it is more convenient to do this “along the wall”, slightly tilting the container. Or you can put a wooden or metal spoon with a long handle inside.
3. Shake the jar slightly. Immediately roll up the lid.

To prevent the drink from spoiling quickly, it is necessary to cool it properly.The jars are turned upside down, wrapped tightly and left in this form until they cool completely. If this is not done, condensation will appear on the lid, and this is a favorable environment for the development of mold.

Strawberry compote with mint for the winter

Almost an analogue of a non-alcoholic strawberry mojito. It will require:

• strawberries – 2-3 glasses;
• sugar – 300-400 g;
• fresh mint - to taste (4-5 sprigs).

How to prepare the drink:

1. Boil about 2 liters of water. Place washed strawberries without stems and mint leaves in a sieve or colander. Blanch it in boiling water for 40-60 seconds. Let cool for about a minute. Repeat 3-4 more times.
   
2. Place the berries in a jar.
   
3. Add sugar to the water in which the berries were blanched. Bring it to a boil again, after 2-3 minutes remove from heat.
4. Immediately pour the syrup into the jars and roll up the lids.
   

Compote of strawberries and apples for the winter

If you add summer apples to late strawberries, you get a very tasty compote for the winter. For this you need:

• fresh strawberries – 1-1.5 cups;
• apples – 2-3 pieces (depending on size);
• sugar – 200 g.

This drink is prepared without sterilization as follows:

1. Wash the apples, cut into slices, remove the core and stem. You don't have to remove the skin.
   
2. Place them and strawberries in a jar.
3. Boil about 2.5 liters of water. Pour it into a container and let it stand for 5-7 minutes.
   
4. Pour the water back into the pan, add sugar. Bring the liquid to a boil.
5. Fill the jars with syrup and roll up the lids.
   

Strawberry compote for the winter with the addition of cherries or cherries

For this compote without sterilization the following ingredients:

• fresh strawberries and cherries (or sweet cherries) - 1.5 cups each;
• sugar – 250-300 g.

Preparing a drink for the winter is extremely simple:

1. Place washed strawberries and cherries in a jar. Boil water, pour it over the berries, let stand for about five minutes.
   
2. Pour it back into the pan, add sugar. Keep on fire until its crystals completely dissolve.
   
3. Pour the syrup over the berries and immediately close the jars with lids.
   

Compote of strawberries and oranges for the winter

Strawberries go well with any citrus fruit. For example, you can prepare the following compote for the winter:

• strawberries – 1-1.5 cups;
• orange – half or whole (depending on size);
• sugar – 200-250 g.

This drink without sterilization is quick and easy:

1. Remove the peel from the orange and divide into slices. Remove the white film and seeds. Cut the pulp into pieces.
   
2. Place strawberries and orange in a jar. Pour boiling water so that the water covers its contents. Cover with a lid and let stand for ten minutes.
   
3. Drain the liquid and add sugar to the berries in the jar.
   
4. Boil about 2.5 liters of water, pour into a container under the neck, and roll up the lid.
   

Terms and conditions of storage

Despite the fact that the workpiece does not require sterilization, it is stored for quite a long time. The “shelf life” of strawberry compote for the winter is three years.Of course, if the drink cans were prepared correctly.

First, they need to be washed thoroughly twice - using dishwashing detergent and baking soda, then rinsed. Clean jars require sterilization. “Grandma’s” method is to hold them over a boiling kettle. It is more convenient to “roast” the jars in the oven. If their volume allows, you can use other household appliances - convection oven, double boiler, multicooker, microwave oven.

Ready-made strawberry compote for the winter without sterilization does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. It will not spoil even at room temperature. But it’s better to keep the drink cool by putting it in a cellar, basement, or on a glassed-in loggia. It is important that the storage area is not too damp (metal lids may rust). And it is necessary to protect the drink from direct sunlight.

Conclusion

Strawberry compote for the winter without sterilization is an extremely simple homemade preparation. Even an inexperienced housewife can prepare it; it requires a minimum of ingredients and time. Of course, such berries, compared to fresh ones, noticeably lose their benefits. But it is quite possible to preserve the wonderful taste, aroma and even the characteristic color of strawberries for the winter.

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