Brandy And Spice Peach Preserves Lisa Sizemore Recipes

BRANDY AND SPICE PEACH PRESERVES - LISA SIZEMORE

Steps:

• In large heavy pot, combine peaches and sugar.
• Place all spices in cheesecloth and drop into pot with peaches.
• Add lemon peel and brandy.
• Simmer, stirring occasionally, until fruit becomes transparent, approximately 1 and 1/2 hours.
• Skim foam from top as needed.
• Discard spices; ladle fruit into hot sterilized jars and seal at once.
• Simmer jars for 10 minutes in water bath.

CHUNKY PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Directions:.
• Cut an X in the rounded end of each peach. Bring a saucepan full of water to a boil over high heat. Have ready a bowl of ice water. Add peaches a few at a time to the boiling water and blanch 30 seconds, then transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking. When cool, lift out and peel. The skin should peel back easily from the X.
• Cut peaches into wedges about 1/2 inch thick, then cut each wedge in half crosswise. Transfer to a large bowl, add sugar and lemon juice and stir well. Let stand several hours or overnight, stirring two or three times, until sugar dissolves and mixture no longer tastes grainy.
• Transfer to a large pot, bring to a simmer over moderately high heat and simmer, skimming any white foam that collects on the surface, until peaches are tender and syrup thickens slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, cover and let rest overnight to "plump" the fruit again.
• Drain the fruit in a sieve set over a bowl. Taste the syrup and add more lemon juice if it seems too sweet. Return the syrup to a pot and cook over moderately high heat until it reaches 220F 105C). Or test for jamlike consistency by spooning a little onto a chilled saucer, then returning the saucer to the freezer for a couple of minutes to cool the syrup quickly. It should firm to a soft jelly consistency.
• Return the peaches and any collected juices to the pot and cook a couple of minutes more, until mixture returns to 220 F (105 C). It will seem thin.
• Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then spoon into clean, hot jars to within 1/2 inch from the top. Wipe rim clean with a towel dipped in hot water. Place lids and rings on jars and seal tightly.
• Cool and refrigerate for up to 3 months. Or, for longer storage, place just-filled jars in boiling water to cover by 1 inch and boil 15 minutes for half-pint jars, 20 minutes for pint jars.
• Transfer with tongs to a rack to cool; lids should form a seal. Sealed jars may be stored in a pantry for up to a year.

GRANDMA'S SPICED PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add peaches. Cook until peach skin begins to split, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly. Peel, pit, and quarter peaches and transfer to a large pot. Mash peaches with a potato masher and stir in sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Cook and stir on low heat until desired consistency, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack peach preserves into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all).

PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Use equal weight of fruit and sugar, before it's been peeled.
• Wash, peel and stone peaches. Cut into thin slices.
• Put into a casserole or Dutch oven with the sugar and a little salt, add lemon juice if desired, or do it while it cooks, or not at all.
• Sit all night with a cover.
• Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for an hour or more until the fruit is clear and the juice is syrupy.
• Pack into sterilized jars and process 7 minutes.