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 pronounced "seasonality", you can feast on it from the garden for only 3-4 weeks. Homemade preparations will help to preserve the unique taste and aroma of summer. Most often, jam, jams, confitures are made from it. But you can also prepare strawberry compote for the winter without sterilization.

Features and secrets of cooking

Strawberry compote for the winter without sterilizing cans is prepared according to the same principles as a 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 under optimal conditions, the berries soften. Therefore, you need to start preparing compote without sterilization for the winter immediately after collecting or purchasing them.
3. Strawberries are very “tender” and can be easily damaged. Therefore, it is recommended to wash the berries before preparing compote without sterilization for the winter in small portions, under a "shower", and not under a stream of water with a strong pressure. Or just fill in with water and wait until all plant and other debris floats up.

Selection and preparation of ingredients

The ideal option is strawberries just picked from the garden. But not everyone has their own gardens and vegetable gardens, so the berry has to be bought. This is best done in the markets.

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

Things to consider when choosing strawberries:

1. The most suitable berries are medium in size. When heat-treated, large strawberries inevitably turn into an unappetizing gruel, small ones do not look very presentable.
2. The richer the color and the denser the pulp, the better. In the drink, such berries retain their integrity, it acquires a very beautiful shade. Of course, all this should be combined with a pronounced taste and aroma.
3. Only ripe berries are suitable for compote for the winter. 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 harming themselves. Unripe does not differ in a sufficiently saturated shade of the skin, and its flesh is almost white. When it is poured with boiling water, it takes on a beige tint.
4. Berries are not suitable even with minimal mechanical damage. Also, specimens with traces of mold and rot are discarded.

To prepare compote without sterilization for the winter, strawberries need to be sorted out and washed. To minimize the "trauma" of the berries, they are poured into a large basin, pouring 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.

Sepal stalks are harvested last.

How to make strawberry compote without sterilization for the winter

Strawberries in compote go well with almost any fruits and berries. Therefore, it is quite possible to "invent" your own recipe. Or choose the one you like best from the following. In each of them, the required ingredients are listed 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).

Cooking compote is extremely simple:

1. Put the washed berries in sterilized jars. Mix sugar with citric acid, pour on top.
2. Boil the required amount of water, 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, metal spoon with a long handle inside.
3. Shake the jar lightly. Roll up the lid immediately.

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 analogous to non-alcoholic strawberry mojito. It will require:

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

How to prepare a drink:

1. Boil about 2 liters of water. Put washed strawberries without stalks 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. Put the berries in a jar.
   
3. Add sugar to the water in which the berries are blanched. Bring it to a boil again, remove from heat after 2-3 minutes.
4. Immediately pour the syrup into jars, roll up the lids.
   

Strawberry compote with 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

Prepare such a drink without sterilization as follows:

1. Wash the apples, cut into slices, remove the core and stalk. The peel can be left on.
   
2. Put them and strawberries in a jar.
3. Boil about 2.5 liters of water. Pour it into a container, let it stand for 5-7 minutes.
   
4. Pour the water back into the pot, add sugar. Bring the liquid to a boil.
5. Fill the jars with syrup, 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 cherries) - 1.5 cups each;
• sugar - 250-300 g.

Preparing a drink for the winter is extremely simple:

1. Put the 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 pot, add sugar. Keep on fire until its crystals are completely dissolved.
   
3. Pour the syrup over the berries, immediately close the jars with the lids.
   

Strawberry compote with oranges for the winter

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

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

Such a drink without sterilization is quick and easy:

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

Terms and conditions of storage

Despite the fact that the workpiece does not require sterilization, it can be stored for a long time. The "shelf life" for strawberry compote for the winter is three years. Of course, if the beverage cans were prepared correctly.

First, wash them thoroughly twice, using dish soap and baking soda, then rinse. Clean cans require sterilization. The "grandmother's" method is to hold them over a boiling kettle. It is more convenient to "fry" cans in the oven. If their volume allows, you can use other household appliances - an airfryer, a double boiler, a multicooker, a microwave oven.

It is not necessary to store ready-made strawberry compote for the winter without sterilization in the refrigerator. It will not deteriorate even at room temperature. But it is better to keep the drink cool by putting it in the cellar, basement, on a glazed loggia. It is important that the storage area is not too damp (metal lids can rust). And it is necessary to protect the drink from direct sunlight.

Conclusion

Strawberry compote for the winter without sterilization is an extremely simple home preparation. Even an inexperienced housewife is able to cook it; a minimum of ingredients and time is required. 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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