Preserves for Winter

Eggplant lecho for winter is a fragrant and satisfying vegetable preserve inspired by Hungarian lecho, where to the classic combination of sweet bell peppers and tomatoes are added slices of fried or stewed eggplant, giving the dish a completely new, deeper and more concentrated flavor. The finished lecho works equally well as a standalone appetizer, as a side with meat or as the base for sauces and gravies. It's the perfect preserve for adding variety to a winter menu. Blitz tomatoes into a puree, slice bell peppers into wide strips, dice the eggplants and slice onions into half-rings. Simmer everything together in a large pot with oil, sugar, salt and vinegar for 40-60 minutes until thickened. Ladle the hot lecho into sterilized jars and seal. Proportions for 3 kg of eggplants inside.

Details: Author: Artyom; 29 July 2022; Last Updated: 08 May 2026

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Achieving a sweet-and-sour taste of neutral berries, along with a citrus aroma, can be done by making cherry jam with lemon. The fruits will retain more pulp if the pit is not removed; moreover, in this case, the berries will not fall apart, turning into a thick puree, but will only shrink a little.

Details: Author: Artyom; 24 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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No one will argue that cherry jam with pits is true summer in a jar. This dense berry only shrinks a little in its shape, but overall, the meaty structure, soaked in syrup, is completely preserved.

Details: Author: Artyom; 23 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Blueberry jam for winter is one of the most prized and nutritious homemade preserves: this wild forest berry is rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C and trace minerals that are especially welcome during the cold months. To preserve as much of blueberry's goodness and intense flavor as possible, you want to cook it briefly and at the gentlest possible heat — that way the berries stay whole, don't break down and keep the unmistakable aroma of fresh summer forest. Sort and rinse the berries, layer with sugar and let rest for 4-6 hours until the juice releases, then bring to a boil, simmer over low heat for just 5-7 minutes, skim the foam and immediately seal into sterilized jars. The result is a fragrant, thick, deeply purple jam. Proven proportions for 1 kg of berries inside.

Details: Author: Artyom; 20 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

Zucchini caviar with mayonnaise and tomato paste

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Russian zucchini caviar with mayonnaise and tomato paste for winter is a popular homemade preserve that tastes and feels remarkably close to the famous store-bought version — but it's made from natural ingredients and without any extra preservatives. The mayonnaise in the mix is an unusual but very successful trick: it lends the caviar a special creamy tenderness, a light richness and that characteristic smooth "factory-style" texture. Peel and seed the zucchini, blitz in a blender or run through a meat grinder, then simmer with sautéed carrot and onion until the moisture cooks out. Add tomato paste, mayonnaise, salt, sugar, vinegar and black pepper and simmer for another 30-40 minutes until thick. Ladle the hot caviar into sterilized jars and seal. Proportions for 3 kg of zucchini inside.

Details: Author: Artyom; 20 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Often, a jam is made from this berry without removing the stone, but it is still better to spend a little more time and can pitted cherry jam for the winter. This dense berry tolerates heat treatment well, maintaining its shape, and eating such firm berries without interference is much more pleasant. Moreover, the pitted preservation lasts up to 2 years, while the jam with the stone lasts no more than a year.

Details: Author: Artyom; 19 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Thick, with inclusions of dense fleshy fractions, cherry jam without pits for the winter is highly desirable to have at least a few jars. After all, this neutral-tasting, juicy berry makes a wonderful preparation for confectionery.

Details: Author: Artyom; 18 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Pickled milk caps for winter are one of the most prized Russian mushroom preserves — milk caps (gruzdi) are considered the "king" of Russian forest mushrooms thanks to their springy texture and unique aroma. I make them using the hot method, which is much faster than cold curing and produces excellent results. The most important step is the prep: milk caps must be soaked in cold water for 1-2 days (changing the water several times) to remove their natural bitterness — this is non-negotiable for any type of milk cap. Then parboil for 15-20 minutes, drain the first liquid, simmer in a fresh marinade of water, salt, sugar, 9% vinegar and spices for another 15-20 minutes and pack into sterilized jars. Proportions inside.

Details: Author: Artyom; 17 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Cherry in its own juice for the winter will best preserve all the charm of the taste that these summer fruits are so loved for.

Details: Author: Artyom; 15 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Red currant jelly for winter is a fragrant, sweet-and-sour and remarkably beautiful homemade preserve with a rich ruby color and a thick jelly-like texture that's achieved without any added thickeners or gelatin. The main secret is the natural pectin of the berry itself, which red currants contain in such abundance that the jelly sets naturally with the right sugar reduction. It's an ideal treat for winter tea, a filling for tarts and pies, and a great accompaniment to meat dishes. Sort and rinse ripe red currants thoroughly. Layer with sugar in equal proportions and let rest for 2-3 hours until the juice releases. Then puree in a blender or push through a sieve, removing the skins and seeds. Reduce the resulting juice-puree over low heat for 15-20 minutes until thick. Ladle the hot jelly into sterilized jars and seal. Proportions for 1 kg of berries inside.

Details: Author: Artyom; 14 July 2022; Last Updated: 09 May 2026

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Categories

Preserves for Winter

Eggplant Lecho for Winter

Cherry Jam with Lemon

Cherry Jam with Pits

Blueberry Jam for Winter

Zucchini Caviar with Mayonnaise and Tomato Paste for Winter

Pitted Cherry Jam for Winter

Pitted Cherry Jam for Winter

Marinated Milk Mushrooms for Winter

Cherry in its own juice for the winter

Red Currant Jelly for Winter