The NYTimes is right to a certain extent. However, the Rote Gruetze is made of the complete berries. Just use berries of the season, boils them for a second, add some lemon peel, lemon juice with cornstarch stirred in and genuine vanilla as well as sugar and boil it for another minute. It is perfect then and must absolutely be served with a home cooked vanilla sauce. This is the original German recipe, and it is good indeed.