PREP: 30 minutes COOK: 25 minutes PROCESS: 10 minutes MAKES: 6 half-pints
3½ lb. strawberries (about 12 cups)
3 cups sugar
3 Tbsp. lime zest
2 Tbsp. lime juice
¼ cup tequila
1. Rinse, hull, and coarsely chop strawberries. Place berries in a 6- to 8-qt. pot. Add sugar, lime zest, lime juice, and tequila. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. If desired, mash the sauce slightly with a potato masher until desired consistency.
2. Ladle hot sauce into six hot sterilized half-pint canning jars, leaving a ¼-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids and screw bands.
3. Process filled jars in a boiling-water canner 10 minutes (start timing when water returns to boiling). Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks. (Canning tips, pages 461–466.)
Blackberry Mojito Dessert sauce: Prepare as directed, except substitute fresh blackberries for the strawberries (do not chop). Add 2 mint sprigs and substitute dark rum for the tequila. Remove and discard mint sprigs before canning.
Cherry Amaretto Dessert sauce: Prepare as directed, except substitute frozen pitted tart red cherries, thawed, for the strawberries. Omit the lime zest and lime juice. Substitute almond liqueur for the tequila. Increase cooking time to 45 minutes or until reduced by half.
Peach Bellini Dessert sauce: Prepare as directed, except substitute chopped, peeled fresh peaches for the strawberries, lemon zest and juice for the lime zest and juice, and Prosecco or Champagne for the tequila.
Raspberry Mule Dessert sauce: Prepare as directed, except substitute fresh raspberries for the strawberries. Omit the lime zest and reduce lime juice to 1 Tbsp. Add 1 Tbsp. finely chopped crystallized ginger. Substitute vodka for the tequila. If desired, strain the sauce and discard seeds before filling jars.
Rhubarb Smash Dessert sauce: Prepare as directed, except substitute fresh or frozen sliced, unsweetened rhubarb for the strawberries. Add 2 large basil sprigs. Omit lime zest. Substitute lemon juice for the lime juice and bourbon for the tequila. Remove and discard basil sprigs before canning.
PER 1 TBSP. SAUCE, STRAWBERRY MARGARITA OR VARIATIONS: 62 cal., 0 g fat, 0 mg chol., 1 mg sodium, 15 g carb., 1 g fiber, 0 g pro.