Hot Pack Spiced Cherry Preserves – Food in Jars

Ingredients

• 3 pounds cherries (washed, stemmed and pitted)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon stick bits (buy them from Penzeys or crush a cinnamon stick with a rolling pin)
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 3 star anise pieces