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Strawberries in Simple Syrup (Slatko od Jagoda)

Aida
Old-school Balkan preserve - a sweet and vibrant topping made from fresh strawberries, perfect for drizzling over desserts, pancakes, or yogurt.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time in Fridge 1 day
Course Dessert
Cuisine Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Equipment

  • a few glass jars with lids

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 pounds fresh strawberries
  • 2 pounds white granulated sugar
  • juice of half a lemon

Instructions
 

  • Prep the strawberries: Wash strawberries thoroughly. Remove stems and leaves, then pat dry completely.
  • Marinate: Place the strawberries in a large pot. Drizzle with lemon juice and cover with sugar. Stir gently, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
  • Mix and heat: The next day, strawberries will have released juice. Gently stir the mixture, then place the pot on the stovetop over medium heat.
  • Simmer: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, but try to keep the strawberries whole. Once the sugar melts and the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat to a gentle simmer.
  • Skim the foam: As the sauce cooks, light pink foam will rise to the top. Skim most of it off using a spoon, taking care not to remove the syrup.
  • Test for readiness: After about 40 minutes, remove a few spoonfuls of syrup onto a plate. Let it cool slightly, then pour it back with a spoon. If it flows smoothly in one or two streams, it's ready. If it trickles, simmer for a few more minutes and test again.
  • Cool: Remove the sauce from heat. Cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel and let it cool completely at room temperature.
  • Sterilize Jars: Wash the jars thoroughly and dry them well. Set the lids aside and place jars in the oven (on a tray), starting at 200°F (95°C), and gradually increase the temperature to 300°F (150°C) over 15 minutes. Carefully remove the tray with hot jars using oven mitts.
  • Jar and store: Once cooled, pour the sauce into clean hot jars, distributing strawberries evenly. Seal tightly. Stored properly, in a cool, dark place, strawberry sauce can last for several months.
  • Serve slatko cold or at room temperature with yogurt, ice cream, over a dessert or a sponge cake, or infused in liquor or liqueur.
    Store in sterilized glass jars in the pantry. Once you open a jar, transfer it to the fridge.

Notes

Nutritional information was not calculated as it depends on how much of the strawberry sauce you'll be consuming. 
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