Rhubarb Juice

Photo: flickr user psd

Ingredients

6 cups diced rhubarb

12 cups water

Preparation

Fill boiling water canner with water. Place 6 clean pint mason jars in canner. Cover, bring water to a boil; boil 10 minutes to sterilize jars at altitudes up to 1,000 feet.

Wash, trim and dice rhubarb, but do not peel. In a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan, combine rhubarb and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes or until rhubarb is soft.

Strain through a dampened cheesecloth lined strainer or jelly bag. Rinse saucepan thoroughly and return juice to it; add sugar. Bring to a boil; stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Ladle hot juice into a hot sterilized jar to within 1/4-inch of top rim (head space). Wipe jar rim removing any stickiness. Center lid on jar; apply screw band just until fingertip tight. Place jar in canner. Repeat for remaining juice. Cover canner; return water to a boil; process 5 minutes at altitudes up to 1,000 feet.

Remove jars. Cool 24 hours. Check jar seals. (Sealed lids curve downward.) Remove screw bands. Wipe jars, label and store in a cool, dark place.

To serve: Carefully pour juice from jar leaving any sediment behind. Dilute concentrate with equal portions of water or club soda. Try mixing it with gingerale and raspberry juice to make a sparkling punch.

This recipe yields about 6 pints.

Yield: 6 pints