Sour Cherry and Almond Spoon Sweet

• 4 cups sour pitted cherries, cleaned and carefully picked over (buy 2 lbs of fruit to account for stones and bruised pieces)
• 12 cup blanched almond
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons brandy (or raki) or 3 tablespoons grappa
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 2 pods star anise

1. Preheat the oven to 500F.
2. Sterilize your 1 pint jar by putting it in the oven for at least 30 minutes.
3. Carefully remove with tongs, and be careful not to touch the jar.
4. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot.
5. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring gently but continuously.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 8 10 minutes until the cherries are slightly wilted.
7. With a slotted spoon, remove the cherries and almonds to a sieve over a bowl, but leave behind the cinnamon and star anise.
8. Raise the heat to medium and reduce the liquid for 5 minutes.
9. Pour in the cherry juices that have accumulated in the bowl, and reduce for another 5 minutes or until well-thickened.
10. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
11. Remove the spices and discard.
12. Stir in the cherries and almonds and spoon into a sterilized jar or jars.

sour pitted cherries, blanched almond, sugar, brandy, lemon juice, cinnamon, anise

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sour-cherry-and-almond-spoon-sweet-372421 (may not work)