Chokeberry, or aronia - is a perennial shrub with beautiful small flowers and very tasty berries that ripen towards the end of summer and at the very beginning of autumn (August-September). Its fruits are rich in carbohydrates, flavonoids, vitamins P, C, tannins and organic acids, and also contain many trace elements: copper and iron, magnesium and manganese, molybdenum, boron and many others. Etc. Therefore, they are widely used in cooking, as well as in confectionery production, preparing from them juices and soft drinks, jams and preserves, marmalade and dyes, as well as wine, liquor and tinctures. Popular recipes and more simple dishes, such as chokeberry, fried with sugar. This is one of the most economical and affordable options for harvesting its fruits for the winter. And also it is widely used for medical purposes as a tasty addition to the general scheme of therapy of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, hemorrhagic diathesis and gastritis with a decreased secretion of hydrochloric acid. Also chokeberry with sugar is an active choleretic agent, so it can be used for diseases of the liver and bile ducts. Of course, it will not have a pronounced therapeutic effect, and it can not be abused, but as a general restorative, especially in the winter, it will help to maintain immunity and avoid hypovitaminosis until the very spring.
Preparation
Chokeberry, ground with sugar, is very tasty and in pure form, and in various combinations with other fruits and berries. So, it can be harvested for the winter along with cranberries, currants or raspberries, and its tart, slightly sour flavor will enrich any jam or homemade compote. In addition, chokeberry in the sugar - this is one of the simplest options for its processing. For cooking, you need only berries (0.5 kg), as many sweet apples and a glass of sugar. First you need to carefully sort out all the fruits, except for spoiled or beaten, and wash under running water. Then, peel apples from the peel and pedicons, cut out the seeds and lay them in an enamel saucepan and, with a small amount of water, cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes until softening, and for flavor, you can add cherry leaves there. At the same time, put the berries in a colander and hold for 5 minutes in boiling water. Then, so that the chokeberry, grated with sugar and apples, was suitable for food and for the elderly, you need to rub all the resulting fruits through a frequent metallic sieve in puree, and in hot form.
Final stage
Then it will only remain to mix everything in a homogeneous mass, gradually pouring in the sugar, and heat it on low heat to melt it. And if you roll up the resulting mashed potatoes in sterilized jars, then in a cool place chokeberry, ground with sugar and apple puree, will be stored all winter, and even until the next harvest. It is pleasant to use it instead of jam for tea, but you can also stuff pies, cakes and buns, decorate cakes and other desserts. Bon Appetit!