Peachandfigpreserves Recipes

PEACH AND FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Bring enough water to cover peaches to a boil. Put peaches in the boiling water for just 1 minute or under. Take them out with a slotted spoon and place them in cold water. Peel and slice peaches. Discard peach pits.
• In a large pot place sugar, vanilla pod and the seeds, figs, peaches, with optional cinnamon or ginger, lemon juice, zest and meat of lemon.
• Stir to release juices it will be thick. Simmer over low heat stirring not to burn. Juices will come and when it does raise heat to high stirring most of the time.
• Remove vanilla and cinnamon.
• With an immersion blender blend fruit till chunky smooth.
• Add back the vanilla and cinnamon.
• As mixture thicken, you must stir more frequently to ensure that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
• When it hits a rolling boil for 15 minutes all the time stirring add liquor cook 1 minute.
• To test whether the jam is ready, place a cold metal spoon in the mixture and tilt. The jam should form a single stream.
• Remove and discard bean and cinnamon.
• Pour into sterile jars and process 10 minutes.
• Optional for those that like it smoother without chunks you can blend the figs before adding to sugar or use an immersion blender while cooking.

PEACH FIG JAM

Steps:

• Slice or chop peaches and figs.
• Add all ingredients to a large saucepot or Dutch oven.
• Slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirringuntil the sugar has dissolved.
• Increase temperature to medium-high. Boil gently, stirringoften, until thickened or until jam reaches 8 degrees above boiling point (usuallyabout 220 degrees).
• Remove from heat. Ladle hot jam into prepared jars, leaving ¼inch head space.
• Wipe the lip of each jar with a damp paper towel and topwith two-piece lids.
• Process in water bath for 10 minutes. Remove and let coolcompletely.

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).

FIG AND PEACH JAM

Steps:

• Pulse figs and peaches in a food processor and pulse 8 - 10 times. Leaving some chunks.
• Add all ingredients in a large heavy bottom saucepan. Cook over high heat stirring frequently to prevent scorching about 10-15 minutes or until full rolling boil.
• Stir in white sugar. Return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for (3) minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add Grand Marnier.
• Remove cinnamon stick and vanilla pod.
• Skim off foam. Ladle in hot sterilized jars, wipe rims and place lids and screw top on.
• Place in a hot water bath covering by 1 inch of water. Process in boiling bath 10 minutes. Shut heat off and let sit in water bath 5 more minutes. Then remove the jars from the hot water without tilting and set aside to cool.
• Leave for 12 hours then check the seals on the jars by pressing on the centers of the lids. If the lids do not spring back, they are vacuum sealed and the jam can be stored at room temperature.
• Another way to check is to remove the ring and try to lift the lid. If it lifts up, it wasn't sealed properly. If the lid flexes, there is no seal, so store the jar in the freezer or refrigerator instead.