To Keep Currants for Tarts

Ingredients

• currants, perfectly dry
• raspberries (optional)
• clean, dry, wide-mouthed bottles
• sound bladder, soaked in water
• straw

Directions

1. Pick the currants from the stalks before they are too ripe.

2. Place the currants (and raspberries, if using) into clean, dry bottles.

3. Tie a piece of soaked bladder tightly over each bottle.

4. Set the bottles in a pan of cold water with a little straw at the bottom and between the bottles.

5. Heat the pan on the fire until it simmers, maintaining this for about 45 minutes without boiling.

6. Remove the pan from the fire; the bladders will rise and then fall into the bottles.

7. After an hour, take the bottles out and cover them with strong paper.

8. Store the bottles in a dry, cool place, neck downwards.