Every year at the end of September when the Italia grapes, the white and firm ones, are available, I buy them and prepare my jars. I store them in the pantry to bring out during the Christmas holidays. I serve coffee and add two pieces of Grapes in Grappa with Spices to the saucer. Not only is it very good, but it’s also an excellent digestive. Look for it at the market stalls and follow my advice to prepare the Grapes in Grappa with Spices!
Other recipes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 2 jars of 2 cups
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn
Ingredients
- 25 oz white grapes (Italia with firm berries)
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- to taste Star anise
- 6 cloves
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 quart grappa
Tools
- 2 Lids
- 2 Jars
- Presselli salvagusto
Steps
Take the grape bunches and wash them thoroughly under running water. Discard any damaged, stained, or soft berries. Use small scissors to cut the berries, leaving a small piece of stem (pedicel). Dry each berry well with a paper towel. Also wash and dry the jars. There’s no need to sterilize them as the grappa will preserve well. In each jar, pour 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2-3 pieces of star anise, 5-6 cloves, a small piece of cinnamon stick, half a vanilla bean, and grappa (all ingredients are to be divided into two jars). Fill the jars with the berries up to the brim. Screw on the lid and shake so all the ingredients mix. Top off with grappa so the grapes are covered.
Place a pressello in each jar so no berry touches the lid. Close tightly and store the grapes in grappa with spices in the pantry. After about twenty days, it’s ready, but if you can resist the temptation, save it for the Christmas holidays. A few berries to taste with coffee after lunch is exceptional.
