One-of-a-Kind Peaches
This recipe allows you to use the same or different herbs or spices in each small jar. Serve these gourmet peaches with cream as a dessert, garnished with greens as a salad or as an accompaniment to poultry and meat.
Makes about 7 x 250 or 236 ml jars.
Ingredients
13-14 medium peaches, about 3 qt (3 L)
4 tbsp (60 ml) Fruit-Fresh® colour protector
4 cups (1000 ml) water
2 1/4 cups (550 ml) granulated sugar
Sprigs mint, thyme, sage or tarragon; or, cinnamon stick or gingerroot
Directions
- Place 7 clean 250 or 236 ml mason jars on a rack in a boiling water canner; cover jars with water and heat to a simmer (180°F/82°C). Set screw bands aside; heat SNAP Lids in hot water, NOT boiling (180°F/82°C). Keep jars and SNAP Lids hot until ready to use.
- Blanch, peel, pit and quarter peaches. As you work, place peaches in a colour protection solution - 4 tbsp (60 ml) Fruit-Fresh® dissolved in 8 cups (2000 ml) water; set aside.
- In a large stainless steel saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Drain peaches and add to boiling liquid; return to a full boil. Remove from heat.
- For each jar, use 1 sprig of mint, thyme or sage; or 2 sprigs tarragon; or 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) cinnamon stick; or a 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick slice of peeled gingerroot.
- In a hot jar, place chosen herb or spice. Pack peaches quarter cut-side down into a hot jar to within 3/4 inch (2 cm) of top rim. Add hot syrup to cover peaches to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top rim (headspace). Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim removing any stickiness. Center SNAP Lid on jar; apply screw band securely & firmly until resistance is met - fingertip tight. Do not overtighten. Place jar in canner; repeat for remaining herbs, peaches and hot syrup.
- Cover canner; bring water to a boil. At altitudes up to 1000 ft (305 m), process - boil filled jars - 15 minutes.* Remove jars without tilting. Cool upright, undisturbed 24 hours; DO NOT RETIGHTEN screw bands. After cooling check jar seals. Sealed lids curve downward. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars, as desired. Label and store jars in a cool, dark place.
* Boiling Water Canner - Altitude Adjustments
At altitudes higher than 1,000 ft (305 m) increase processing time as indicated in chart.
| ALTITUDE | INCREASE Processing Time | |
|---|---|---|
| FEET | METERS | |
| 1,001 - 3,000 | 306 - 915 | 5 minutes |
| 3,001 - 6,000 | 916 - 1,830 | 10 minutes |
| 6,001 - 8,000 | 1,831 - 2,440 | 15 minutes |
| 8,001 - 10,000 | 2,441 - 3,050 | 20 minutes |
Canning and preserve recipes courtesy of Bernardin.
For more great canning recipes, visit
http://www.homecanning.com