How to prepare apricot syrup

How to prepare apricot syrup

Making apricot syrup is a delicious way to preserve and enjoy the flavor of apricots even outside the summer season. Here is a simple recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
– 500 g of ripe apricots, preferably from organic farming
– 400 g of white sugar
– 500ml of water
– Juice of half a lemon (optional, but helps preserve the color and taste of the apricots)
Instructions:
1. Wash and peel the apricots. Remove the pits and cut them into small pieces. You can decide whether to leave them with the peel or remove it depending on personal preference.
2. In a large saucepan, add the chopped apricots, sugar and water. If you want to use lemon juice, add it at this point as well. Mix the ingredients well.
3. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.
4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer everything for about 20-25 minutes, or until the apricots are soft and the syrup has thickened slightly. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. At this point, you can use a hand blender to make the mixture more homogeneous, or leave it with apricot pieces, depending on your preference.
6. Pour the hot apricot syrup into sterilized bottles and close them hermetically. You can store the syrup in the refrigerator for a few weeks or even sterilize the bottles for longer storage at room temperature.
7. The use of apricot syrup is versatile: you can use it to sweeten cold drinks, as a topping for pancakes or ice cream, or as an ingredient in sauces and desserts.
Also remember to always follow food safety practices and properly sterilize bottles if you want to store syrup at room temperature for an extended period.