Blueberry Cassis Preserves

Description: This also comes from the book "Perfect Preserves" by M. Dalton King. One of my friends made it. It's very good!

Ingredients:

• 2 pints fresh blueberries
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup creme de cassis
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice (or 1 tsp allspice berries)

Steps:

1. Pick over blueberries, removing all stems, leaves and damaged or unfit berries. Wash and place in a preserving pan with the lemon juice (and whole allspice, if using).
2. Cook over medium heat until berries begin to soften (3--5 minutes). Add sugar and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often.
3. Mix in the cassis and allspice (if using ground). Cook for 5 more minutes, until preserve is thickened and reaches 221°F.
4. Ladle preserve into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headroom. Wipe rims clean and seal.
5. Process 5 minutes in a boiling water bath. Cool, check seals, and alabel. Store for up to 1 year in a cool dark place.