Homemade Maraschino Cherries - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 lbs firm tart red cherries
8 cups cold water
2 tablespoons ascorbic acid, crystals
1 1/2 cups water
3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 tablespoon almond extract

Preparation

Remove pits from cherries.
Combine 8 cups water and ascorbic acid.
Stir until crystals are dissolved.
Add cherries to the solution.
Don't allow the fruit to remain more than 20 minutes.
Rinse fruit; drain well.
Combine 1 1/2 cup water and sugar.
Bring to a boil.
Stir in food coloring and add the cherries.
Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes.
Cool completely, allowing cherries to soak 24 hours.
Next day, bring to a boil and then stir in almond extract.
Pack hot cherries into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch head space.
Shake jars to get firm pack.
Bring syrup to a boil and ladle hot syrup into jars.
Process in water bath for 15 minutes for 1/2 pint jars.