Peach Preserves Recipe 455

COUNTRY PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Fill 2/3 of a large soup pot with water. Bring to a boil. Add peaches for 30 -45 seconds, then remove with slotted spoon and drain the pot. Remove peaches immediately to a large bowl of cold water.
• Peel the skin, cut the peaches into quarters and remove pits.
• Place all peeled peaches in a large soup pot and squeeze in juice of 1 lemon. Drizzle well with 2 cups sugar, toss and drizzle again with the remaining 1.5-2 cups so the sugar reaches all the peaches. If peaches are very sweet, you may only need 3 1/2 cups of sugar total. Add more sugar to taste while its cooking.
• Let peaches sit at room temp with the sugar for about 30 min -1 hour, or until sugar is dissolved.
• Place the pot over the stove uncovered and bring to a light boil, stirring to prevent scorching. Once the whole pot is at a light boil, simmer for 10 minutes and turn off the heat. Let the pot stand uncovered until it is just warm to the touch or reaches room temp.
• As soon as it cools, repeat step 3. You will bring it to a light boil a total of 5 times. Preserves have plenty of sugar so they won't spoil at room temp if you leave it on the counter overnight. If you want the preserves to have an even thicker consistency, you can boil it 6 times if you wish. (Note: the fifth time you boil, bring it to a boil over a little lower heat and stir a few extra times to prevent scorching. Also, it thickens more as it cools.)
• The last time you bring it to a boil you will want to transfer it to sterilized jars while it's boiling hot.
• Transfer your boiling hot preserves to the jars using a glass measuring cup and a funnel (least messy method) leaving about 1/2″ space.
• Screw the lids on enough to keep a tight seal in place but don't over-tighten them since air bubbles need to be able to escape.
• Place packed cans into the canning pot and cover with 1-2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and process 15 minutes. Remove from the pot with jar lifter and leave at room temperature undisturbed for 12-24 hours. You may hear a pop when the jars fully seal. After 24 hours, check that the seal has formed by pushing down on the center of the lid - it should not move at all. If the seal does not form, refrigerate preserves and enjoy within 3 months.

PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• In large stockpot combine the peaches with the lemon juice and 2 cups of the sugar.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• When starting to cook peaches prepare water bath canner and sterilize jars by boiling for 10 minutes.
• Leave jars in hot water covered until ready to use.
• Add lids to a small saucepan and pour boiling water over (do not boil lids) and leave in hot water until ready to use.
• Add remaining sugar, cinnamon and butter and heat uncovered over medium heat stirring often until sugar is dissolved.
• Bring to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Increase heat to high, add pectin and bring to a full rolling boil (continues to boil while stirring).
• Boil for 1 minute then remove from heat and skim off excess foam.
• Add almond extract and let mixture cool for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Ladle into sterilized jars leaving 1/4" headspace.
• Wipe rims clean and place seals on jars.
• Screw on bands just to finger tight.
• Place jars in water bath canner making sure you have 1-2 inches of water covering tops of jars.
• Cover, bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. (adjust for high altitude, if necessary).
• Turn off fire, remove lid and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove and let sit undisturbed until sealed and cooled.
• Check to make sure lids have sealed and store in cool dry area.

PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Crush 1 cup chopped peaches in the bottom of a large saucepan. Add remaining peaches, and set pan over medium-low heat. Bring to a low boil, and cook for about 20 minutes or until peaches become liquid (my family likes a few bits of peach left) .
• Pour peaches into a bowl, and then measure 6 cups back into the pan. Add sugar, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Gradually stir in dry pectin, and boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat after 1 minute, and transfer to sterilized jars. Process in hot water bath canner for 10 minutes. Let cool, and place on shelf.

PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Add cut peaches and sugar into a glass bowl.
• Microwave on high for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When nearing the end and the peaches are boiling, you will want to stir more frequently to prevent them from over boiling.
• If you want a smoother preserves consistency, run them through a blender briefly after they have cooled slightly.