Beginner Peach Jam Recipes

AUNT PATSI'S EASY PEACH JAM

Steps:

• Heat five 12-ounce jars in simmering water until ready for use. Wash lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Fill a large pot with water; bring to a boil. Add peaches; cook until skin loosens, about 20 seconds. Drain and cool until easily handled. Peel, pit, and cut the peaches into chunks.
• Measure out 5 cups of peach chunks into the pot. Mash with a potato masher. Add sugar, peach gelatin, lemon juice, and almond extract; mix well. Bring to a rolling boil and cook jam for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• Pack jam into hot jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean, damp cloth. 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 in jars using a holder, placing them 2 inches apart. Pour in more boiling water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, about 12 hours. Press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that lid does not move up or down and seal is tight.

EASY HOMEMADE PEACH JAM RECIPE (NO PECTIN)

Steps:

• Add peaches and lemon juice to medium saucepan. Bring to boil over med-high heat, using a spatula or masher to crush peaches to desired consistency.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add sugar. Bring peaches back to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Continue to boil and stir, until peaches reduce and reach desired consistency. (Anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes - jam should stick to spoon when lifted and turned sideways.)
• Let the peach preserves cool, if you find the jam is not at the consistency you desire, you can bring the peaches back to boiling for about 10 minutes and then let it cool again.

PEACH JAM RECIPE (WITHOUT PECTIN)

Steps:

• PREPARE JARS: Run 2-3 small jars (depending on size) through the dishwasher or washed in very hot water. You will make about 1 1/2 cups (480g) of peach jam.
• PEEL AND SLICE PEACHES: For easy peeling, carefully drop peaches into a pot of boiling water. Boil for 60-90 seconds. Drain water and run cold water over peaches in pot. If peaches are ripe, skins will slip off the peaches with your fingers. Here's a video on blanching method. Use small knife to peel stubborn spots if needed. Slice peaches and remove pits. Note 1.
• PREPARE PEACH MIXTURE TO COOK: Place peaches, sugar and lemon juice in a medium pot (mixture should only take up about 1/3 of pot so it doesn't boil over). If you are doubling the recipe, use a large pot and cook the jam a little longer. Squish the mixture with a potato masher or your hands. (I use my hands). I like to leave some chunks of peaches.
• COOK PEACH JAM: Heat mixture to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Lower to medium heat (5-6 on my dial) and boil on a medium rolling boil for 17-22 minutes (depending on how loose or thick you like your marmalade), stirring occasionally to prevent scorching on the bottom. The amount of time will depend on speed of boil and size of pot. A pot with a larger bottom surface will take less time. If you have doubled the recipe, You can remove the foam if you like by scooping it out with a spoon or adding a teaspoon of butter to contain the foam. I don't bother. See Note 2 - how to tell when jam is done. Taste and adjust flavor as needed e.g. add a bit more lemon juice or sugar as you like. I sometimes add a small pinch of salt to bring out the brightness of the peaches.
• STORE THE JAM: Scoop jam into jars. Cool, then cover tightly and store in the fridge or freezer.