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Strawberries are one of the first berries that delight gardeners with a harvest in the new season. They eat it not only fresh. This is a suitable “raw material” for creating desserts and baking fillings. You can also prepare it for future use - make jam, jam, confiture. Strawberry and lemon compote for the winter is very tasty and aromatic.
Features and secrets of cooking
The principles for preparing compotes for the winter are similar for strawberries and other berries. But some nuances still need to be taken into account:
- This is a fairly “profitable” preparation. You only need a few berries - a maximum of half a kilo per three-liter jar.
- Do not over-delay the preparation of compote. Strawberries quickly deteriorate, soften, and lose their presentable appearance. It is best to start immediately after harvesting.
- It is best to put berries that are approximately the same in size and degree of ripeness in one jar.
- Strawberries are very “delicate”, so you need to wash them carefully. A strong stream of water can turn the berries into mush.Therefore, it is better to fill them with water in a large basin and let them stand for a while or wash them in a colander under the “shower” in small portions.
Each recipe indicates the required amount of sugar. But you can vary it at your discretion. If you add more sugar, you get a kind of “concentrate”. In winter, it is drunk with water (regular drinking or carbonated).
Selection and preparation of ingredients
The most suitable option for compote for the winter is harvest from your own garden bed. But not everyone has gardens and vegetable gardens, so “raw materials” have to be purchased. It is better to go to the market for berries. What lies on the shelves in stores and supermarkets is almost always treated with preservatives and chemicals, this allows them to extend their shelf life.
What you need to pay attention to when choosing:
- The most suitable berries are medium in size. Excessively large ones inevitably “fall apart” during heat treatment. Small ones just don’t look very aesthetically pleasing.
- The necessary condition is rich color and density of the pulp. Only in this case the berries will not turn into an unappetizing mush and will retain their characteristic shade. Of course, the taste and aroma of strawberries should not “suffer” in this case.
- Berries for compote for the winter are taken ripe, but not overripe. The latter are very soft, this negatively affects the aesthetics of the workpiece. Unripe is also not the best option. When it is poured with boiling water, it “gives up” almost all its color and becomes unpleasantly whitish.
- Strawberries must be sorted, rejecting berries even with minor mechanical damage. Also not suitable are those that have stains that look like mold or rot.
First, the strawberries must be washed. The berries are placed in a basin and filled with cool water.After about a quarter of an hour, they are taken out from there in small portions, transferred to a colander and allowed to drain. Finally “dry” on paper or regular towels. Only after this can the stalks be removed along with the sepals.
Lemons are also washed. You can even rub the zest with the harsher side of a dish sponge.
Recipes for making strawberry and lemon compote for the winter
Strawberries in compotes for the winter can be combined with almost any fruit and berries. One of the most successful “symbioses” is with lemon. All ingredients in the recipes are based on a 3 liter jar.
Combining strawberries and lemon creates a homemade version of a strawberry Fanta or non-alcoholic mojito.
Classic recipe for strawberry compote with lemon for the winter
For this drink you will need:
- strawberries – 400-500 g;
- lemon – 2-3 thin slices;
- sugar – 300-400 g.
It is prepared simply and quickly:
- Place citrus slices at the bottom of the jar (the peel is not removed, only the seeds are removed) and pour in the berries. The last “layer” is sugar.
- Boil water (2-2.5 l). Pour boiling water into the jars to the fullest. Shake slightly and immediately roll up the lids.
Recipe for strawberry compote with lemon and orange
Required ingredients:
- strawberries – about 500 g;
- orange – 2-3 slices;
- lemon – 1 slice (can be replaced with a pinch of citric acid);
- sugar – 350-400 g.
How to prepare the drink:
- Place orange slices, lemon and berries on the bottom of the jar. Add sugar and shake gently so that it is distributed more evenly.
- Pour boiling water into the jar, let stand for 10-15 minutes, covering with a lid.During this time, the contents of the container will settle slightly.
- Add water to the neck. Roll up the jar with a lid.
Strawberry compote with lemon and lemon balm
This winter compote has a very refreshing taste. To prepare it you will need:
- strawberries – 500 g;
- lemon – 2-3 slices;
- sugar – 350-400 g;
- fresh lemon balm - to taste (1-2 sprigs).
Step-by-step instruction:
- Place citrus, berries and lemon balm leaves in a jar.
- Boil syrup from 2.5 liters of water and sugar. The liquid must be brought to a boil so that all the crystals dissolve completely.
- Pour syrup into jars under the neck. Let stand for about ten minutes.
- Pour the liquid back into the pan, bring to a boil, and pour it back into the jars. Immediately roll them up with lids.
Strawberry compote with lemon and mint
To prepare a drink for the winter you will need:
- strawberries – 500 g;
- lemon – 2-3 slices;
- sugar – 400 g;
- fresh mint - a small sprig.
Making this preparation for the winter is very simple:
- Place lemon, strawberries and mint in a jar.
- Pour boiling water to the top. To cover with a lid. Let stand for 10-15 minutes.
- Pour the water into a saucepan, add sugar and bring to a boil.
- Pour syrup into jars and roll up immediately.
Strawberry compote with lemon without sterilization
Required ingredients:
- strawberries – 450-500 g;
- lemon - about a quarter;
- liquid honey – 3 tbsp. l.
How to prepare strawberry compote for the winter using this recipe:
- Place strawberries, thinly sliced lemon and honey in a jar.
- Pour boiling water over it and leave for an hour. Pour the liquid into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Pour syrup over the berries and roll up the jars.
Terms and conditions of storage
Compote of fresh strawberries for the winter with lemon can be stored for quite a long time - three years. At the same time, it is not necessary to keep the drink in the refrigerator; a cellar, basement, glassed-in balcony, even a pantry in an apartment will do. Mandatory conditions are the absence of high humidity (otherwise the covers may rust) and the presence of protection from direct sunlight.
The drink will quickly deteriorate, without even “surviving” until winter, if you do not ensure the sterility of the containers and lids. The jars are washed first with dishwashing detergent, then with baking soda. After this, they are sterilized by holding them over steam (over a boiling kettle) or “frying” them in the oven. If they are not very large, a microwave, double boiler, multicooker, or air fryer are suitable for sterilization.
It is equally important to properly cool strawberry compote with lemon for the winter. Having rolled up the lids, the jars are immediately turned upside down and allowed to cool completely, wrapped in a blanket. If this is not done, drops of condensation will appear on the lid, and mold may develop in the future.
Conclusion
Strawberry compote with lemon for the winter is an extremely easy homemade preparation. The drink has excellent refreshing and tonic properties, is rich in vitamins, and has an amazing taste and aroma. This preparation for the winter is a great way to regain your summer mood even in cold weather.The compote requires a minimum of ingredients, and its preparation does not take much time.
