CAN IT: Cherries

Canning cherries is a great way to enjoy them all year long! Stone fruits like cherries are especially well-suited for canning since they don’t tend to get mushy.

Cherries are at their peak during summer, so this is the best season to can these delicious fruits.

Beyond their sweet and tart flavours, cherries are loaded with vitamins, phytonutrients, and minerals. They also ease muscle soreness, combat cancer, balance blood pressure, and soothes insomnia and headaches.

Here is everything that you will need for canning cherries:

• canning jars with lids and sealers
• a water bath canner or a large pot
• a cherry pitter or a knife
• saucepan
• a lot of cherries
• one litre of water
• two cups of sugar or honey

Directions:

1. Wash and pit your cherries with a cherry pitter or knife. Do this over a large bowl to catch the juices.
2. Mix sugar or honey with water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Making sure that your jars are sterilized and hot, fill it halfway with your syrup.
4. Stuff the jars with cherries, then fill more syrup until it reaches 2cm below the rim.
5. Place sealers and lids on jars.
6. Place the jars in a water bath canner or large pot with boiling water for 15 minutes.
7. Remove the jars and let them cool.
8. Store your canned cherries in a cool spot and away from sunlight.

Now that you are an expert on canning cherries, let us know what you’re going to do with your bounty!