Rosehip Paste

Rose hip paste is a fragrant delicacy, full of vitamins and antioxidants, that can turn any meal into an unforgettable culinary experience. The preparation process requires patience, but the final result is well worth it. We start by selecting rose hip juice, ensuring it is fresh and of good quality. It is essential to use it immediately after purchase to prevent fermentation. Thus, we place the juice in a pot over low heat, making sure to place a board underneath to evenly disperse the heat and avoid burning.

Boiling the juice takes about 2-3 hours, depending on the desired consistency. In the early stages, we focus on stirring constantly, as the juice can easily stick to the bottom of the pot. It is important to let the juice reduce by about 20-25% of the initial amount. After achieving a slightly thicker consistency, we leave the pot uncovered for 24 hours at room temperature to allow the paste to thicken even more.

The next day, we will repeat the boiling process, stirring constantly again for 20-25 minutes. The consistency should be even denser, and the juice should reduce by another 20%. After this stage, we leave the paste uncovered again for 24 hours. On the third day, we add sugar and continue boiling, stirring continuously, until we obtain a paste similar to Nutella. It is essential to perform the consistency test: if the paste does not spread on a cold plate or if, after dragging a finger across the back of a spoon, a clear line remains, we are ready.

Once the paste has reached the desired consistency, we pour the hot mixture into clean, dry jars. Now we have a few options for sealing the jars. We can screw the lids on immediately and place them in a warm spot, wrapped in blankets, or we can leave them for 2-3 days without lids to form a skin. Another method is to place the jars in a preheated oven at 150 degrees Celsius, immediately reducing the temperature to 100 degrees and leaving them for 25 minutes.

After we are done, we label the jars and store them in the pantry. Rose hip paste is perfect for pancakes, donuts, cakes, or simply on a slice of fresh bread. This recipe not only offers a delicious taste but also a healthy way to enjoy berries, making it an excellent choice for any time of the day.