Cherry Rum Preserves

4 pounds dark sweet cherries
1 pound granulated sugar
3/4 cup dark rum

Prepare six 8-ounce jars.

Wash, stem and pit cherries.

In heavy saucepan, combine cherries and sugar and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours. Watch carefully and stir often. Remove from heat; let cool 5 minutes and stir in rum. Pack cherries into prepared jars. Cover and seal. Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes.

Store in cool dark place for 1 month before using.