Fragolo (Strawberry Liqueur)
(Susan - slehmkuhl517)

This is a sweet strawberry liqueur, with an alcohol content of about 40%. It's quite nice in the winter after dinner.

When you have finished steeping the strawberries, drain them well and serve them for dessert (though not to children). They'll go quite well over ice cream.

3/4 pound very ripe strawberries (wild if possible)
A half-inch piece of vanilla bean, crushed
1 3/4 cups Splenda
1/2 cup water
1 1/3 cups grain alcohol

Hull the strawberries and lightly rinse them, then put them in a 2- quart glass jar. Add the other ingredients, seal the jar, and steep the strawberries for a month, gently shaking them once or twice a day.

When you have finished steeping, remove the strawberries by gently pouring the liqueur through a wire mesh strainer and into a bowl. Let the strawberries drain well, then transfer the liqueur into a clear glass bottle, using a funnel and a piece of filter paper. Stopper the bottle, let it set for about 7 months, and it's ready.