Canned Fruit Cocktail

My daughter loves the canned fruit cocktail, especially the cherries.  But I hate that it is filled with sugar and to me the fruit seems almost fake.  Here is a simple way to make fruit cocktail with actual fresh fruit and you can control the amount of sugar :)

credit: http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0091009/photos/amiefedora/3824485479/

Makes about 5 jars
You'll Need:

• Quart size canning jars and lids
• Variety of fresh fruit (steer clear of very soft fruit such as bananas)
• cherries
• nectarines
• peaches
• plums
• apples
• pears

• 5 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/4 cups sugar (you can go a little less here if you like)

1. Prepare your fruit by washing and cutting it into quarters (or the size you like for fruit cocktail).  Begin to boil you water in a large stock pot with a rack placed on the bottom.  I use a large stock pot with a circle rack fit from my microwave, it happens to fit perfectly.  Place your jars in the pot and heat to a boil to sterilize making sure water level is at least 1 inch above jar.
2. Remove jars and lids with tongs and dry on a towel.   Bring water back up to a boil.  Meanwhile, heat water and sugar in a large sauce pan until sugar has melted.  
3. Fill the jars with a mixture of the fresh fruit.  Top with the sugar water leaving about an inch or so of head space.  Screw lid on tightly.
4. Place carefully in water and bring to a boil.  Once boiling process jars for 25 minutes.  Carefully remove from water and place on a towel to cool.

Store in the pantry for a fresh snack or use for cobblers, desserts or ice cream toppings!

Lucy~