Before it’s too late, and while they are still available, I’d like to share a nice way of preserving the raspberries rather than freezing them or making jams. The method is not cheap, but well worth the money spent. The raspberries will keep well for several months, easily up to the Christmas time, and will make a lovely addition to any home-baked/made gift baskets (if you do such things). These berries are so good in chocolate tarts, soufflés or mousses.
The proportion given below is for 1 quart jar; reduce the amount accordingly if you wish to do so.
Ingredients:
- Enough raspberries to fill a 1-quart mason jar
- 1 cup fine granulated sugar
- Enough brandy to go up to the rim of the aforementioned jar (at least a cup)
Preparation:
Fill a clean, dry 1-quart jar (no need to sterilize) with raspberries. Top with the sugar, shaking the jar slightly to help the sugar to settle. Slowly pour the brandy over until it comes almost to the rim of the jar. Screw a lid on and leave the jar on a counter, shaking it gently from time to time (drop the jar on its side in your hands and roll it from side to side) until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Store in the refrigerator for several months. Don’t dispose of the brandy, it can be reduced to a sauce.
August 29, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I totally never of preserving raspberries this way. I love the different uses for this. The brandy makes a great cocktail of some sort I’m sure.
August 25, 2009 at 2:31 pm
How utterly beautiful :) Lovely idea. If I get more raspberries in my fruit/veg box I will definitley indulge in this.
August 24, 2009 at 5:13 am
I love them, but unluckily they are not easily available in Italy.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your recipe…:)
August 22, 2009 at 11:25 am
Mmm..looks wonderful. I did cherries this way once and even gave a jar to my neighbor. The only problem was I didn’t store mine in the refrigerator but in my beautiful 100 year old hoosier…the jar blew up sky high during the middle of the night. Scared us silly. My neighbor’s lasted a tad longer as she put it in the refrigerator, but eventually the bottom blew right out of the jar. Potent stuff that!
August 21, 2009 at 11:26 am
i think i would put some onto a warm chocolate pudding.
thanks for sharing.
August 21, 2009 at 3:45 am
Such a great idea! Have you tried this with other berries?
August 20, 2009 at 4:23 am
Where I am from we do the same with sour cherries. They are phenomenal around Christmas. I remember we even did chocolate truffles with brandied sour cherries wrapped in. Thanks for reminding me about all this.
August 19, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Preserved raspberries on my breakfast cereal never seemed more appealing!
August 19, 2009 at 1:33 pm
What a fantastic idea for raspberries. I bet you could also make some wicked cocktails with the liquor once the raspberries have gone!
August 19, 2009 at 7:04 am
I loved it, really great idea.
C.
August 18, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Vera, I have a little something for you over at my blog:
http://bakeinparis.blogspot.com/2009/08/merci-jill.html
Regards
Kris
August 18, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I love brandied cherries but I would love try these lovelies.
August 18, 2009 at 2:53 pm
ohh, I feel tipsy looking at these!!LOL
August 18, 2009 at 7:11 am
This is the best thing since sliced bread. I would happily sip them in their cocktail-y goodness.
August 18, 2009 at 6:35 am
Thanks for this lovely idea – I’ve been looking for more things to do with the crop of seasonal berries around here.
August 18, 2009 at 5:59 am
My father-in-law often uses a blend of alcohol, citrus juice and syrup to preserve raspberries (and berries of most sorts). But they’re so good, they rarely last more than a few days anyway. :-)
August 18, 2009 at 5:52 am
to say that raspberries never had it so good would be an understatement. :)
August 18, 2009 at 5:22 am
Lovely. I did this recently with blueberries, sugar and vodka as well as with sour cherries, sugar, and vodka. Although, my goal was blueberry and sour cherry liqueurs . . .
August 18, 2009 at 5:22 am
I guess this works with most fruits right? Don’t get fresh raspberries where I live…
August 18, 2009 at 3:36 am
I would never have thought about preserving raspberries in this way. How wonderful! And the brandy makes a perfect complement for Christmas dishes – great idea!