Spiced Cran-Apple and Grape Conserve

Name: Spiced Cran-Apple and Grape Conserve
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Yield: 10 half-pints.
Ingredients: 6 whole cloves; 6 whole allspice berries; 8 cups seedless red grapes; 6 cups sugar; 4 medium tart apples, peeled and chopped (about 4 cups); 4 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries; 3 tablespoons lemon juice plus enough water to equal 1 cup; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 medium tart apple, peeled and shredded (about 1 cup)

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 2 hours Process: 5 min./batch YIELD: 10 half-pints.

Faced with an abundance of grapes from my garden, I wound up using them in various ways. This conserve was an afterthought, but I received so many great compliments from family and friends that I made sure to write down the recipe. I served it with crackers and Brie cheese, but it would be great with pork, chicken, ham and cheesecake, too. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Ingredients

6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
8 cups seedless red grapes
6 cups sugar
4 medium tart apples, peeled and chopped (about 4 cups)
4 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries
3 tablespoons lemon juice plus enough water to equal 1 cup
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 medium tart apple, peeled and shredded (about 1 cup)

Directions

1. Make a spice bag by placing cloves and allspice berries on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string.
2. In a stockpot, combine next 6 ingredients. Add spice bag. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until mixture begins to thicken, about 45 minutes. Add shredded apple; simmer until thickened, 35-45 minutes longer (mixture will thicken more after cooling). Discard spice bag.
3. Carefully ladle hot mixture into 10 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight.
4. In batches, place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Nutrition Facts

2 tablespoons: 77 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.