Name: Sour Cherry Preserves
Yield: Makes 7 or 8 (1/2-pint) jars
Ingredients: 4 lb sour cherries, stemmed and pitted, reserving 3 tablespoons pits; 5 cups sugar; 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 (1 3/4-oz) box plus 3 tablespoons lower- sugar powdered pectin; Special equipment: a cherry pitter; cheesecloth; a candy thermometer; 8 (1/2-pint) canning jars with lids and screw bands

I love these preserves because they're both tart and sweet. For the best color, choose true-red sour cherries. Darker varieties — those that resemble Bing cherries — will make darker preserves, which will also be delicious. The cherries are steeped overnight in sugar, which deepens their flavor and helps them to stay plump. Kernels from the cherry pits (tied in a cheesecloth bag) add an almondy note to the preserves.

Active time: 2 1/4 hr Start to finish: 1 day (plus 1 day for flavors to develop)

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