Candied Strawberries

Candied fruit is one of many favorite delicacies. They are tasty in their pure form, they can be eaten instead of candy. They can be used in the preparation of sweet dishes as one of the main ingredients or for decoration. One of the most delicious types of this exquisite delicacy is candied strawberries. They can be made in summer to be used throughout the year. The process of cooking this strawberry dessert has its own specifics, but it is simple enough so that even an inexperienced cook can cope with the task.

Cooking Features

The technology of making candied strawberries can be different, but the general principles do not depend on the recipe. Berries need to properly prepare, soak in syrup and dry. The result will depend on knowing a few moments.

For candied fruit, it is necessary to take ripe berries of medium or large size, but it is desirable that the strawberry size should be approximately the same. Of the small berries candied be tough.
Harvesting strawberries is not recommended in rainy weather. The berries are watery at this time, they will lose their shape when they are cooked, they will spread, which is unacceptable for strawberry candied fruits.
Before cooking strawberries need to tear or cut sepals, but this should be done only after the berry has been washed and dried. Otherwise, water will fall into the berries, and it will be impossible to make candied fruits.
You cannot use aluminum cookware to make a dessert. This material comes into contact with the acid, which is contained in strawberries, forming harmful substances.
Candied fruits are prepared in stages. This technology allows you to maintain the integrity of the berries.
Ready-made candied fruit are soft, but elastic. When squeezing the berries, juice does not stand out from them. To overdry berries is not worth it, so they do not become too hard.
Ready-made candied fruits are sticky. So that they do not stick together, they are rolled in icing sugar. It can be bought in finished form, but it is much cheaper to make it yourself from sugar. To do this, it is enough to grind with a blender or in a coffee grinder.

Store candied fruit in tightly closed glass jars. Shelf life varies between 3 and 12 months depending on the amount of sugar used in the preparation and storage conditions. They will not spoil in the refrigerator for at least 6 months, at room temperature - 3 months.

The classic recipe of candied strawberries

Composition (on 0, 5 kg):

strawberries - 1 kg;
sugar - 1 kg;
water - 0, 5 l;
powdered sugar - 100 g.

Preparation Method:

Arrange the strawberries. Rinse by spilling into a bowl of cool water. Rinse under running water. Allow the fluid to drain. Wait for the berries to dry.
Tear off or cut sepals from strawberries.
Mix the sugar with water, put it on the stove.
Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved.
Put the berries in the syrup.
Without stirring, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
Remove the foam. For 5 minutes, remove the pan with the berries from the heat.
Bring to a boil again, cook for 2 minutes over medium heat. Cool slightly.
Repeat these manipulations at least 5 more times.
Cover the baking tray with parchment.
Catch the berries from the syrup, spread them on a baking sheet.
Put in the oven. Turn it on by setting the minimum temperature. In electric ovens, it is usually 50-60 degrees, in gas ovens - about 100 degrees.
Open the oven cover slightly. Do not forget to install a shield that protects the stove taps from the heat of the oven.
Dry the berries in the oven for 3 to 5 hours. The time depends on the set temperature. At low temperatures, the berries are dried longer, but wilted more evenly, which makes it tastier and better stored.
Take the baking tray with the berries out of the oven, let them cool.
Pour the icing sugar in a plastic bag. Add berries. Shake the bag so that the strawberries are covered with powdered sugar.
Pour into clean, dry jars, close tightly and store in permanent storage.

Candied fruit can be dried not only in the oven. Indoors, they will dry for about three days. At this time, they need to cover with gauze to protect against insects. Using a special electric dryer, it is necessary to focus on the recommendations of the manufacturer of the device.