Whole Cherry Preserves Recipe

How to make it

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• Pick through cherries and remove blemished cherries and remove pits.
• Put sugar in a large heavy bottom non aluminum pot. with water.
• Let stand stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
• Add star anise and simmer over low heat stirring from time to time for 15 minutes.
• Remove star anise and stir in pitted cherries and honey.
• Raise heat and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer about 2 hours increasing the heat to medium low after about 1-1/2 hours.
• Be careful the preserves do not scorch.
• Meanwhile wash 4 pint jars or 8 half pint jars.
• Keep hot until needed.
• Prepare lids as manufacturer directs.
• After the first 45 minutes of cooking the preserves begin to set for the gel point.
• Ladle hot preserves into 1 hot jar at a time leaving 1/4 inch heat space.
• Wipe jar rim with a clean damp cloth then attach lid .
• Fill and close remaining jars.
• Process pints or half pints in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes.