Peaches are a summertime favorite, but they can be enjoyed year-round with this guide on how to preserve them. Learn everything you need to know about how to preserve peaches so you can enjoy them any time of year!
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Introduction
It’s peach season and that means it’s time to stock up on these delicious summer fruits. But what do you do with all those peaches? You can only eat so many fresh, and they don’t last long in the fridge. Canning is a great way to preserve peaches so you can enjoy them all year round.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about canning peaches, from choosing the right type of peach to preparing them for canning. We’ll also give you some tips on how to get the most out of your canned peaches. So if you’re ready to learn how to preserve peaches, let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
To start, you’ll need:
– ripe peaches
– a large pot or canning kettle
– a canning rack that fits inside the pot
– jars with lids and rings (we recommend using quart-size jars)
– a nonreactive saucepan
– a paring knife
– a ladle
– Funnel (optional)
Once you have all your supplies, you’re ready to get started!
Step One: Choose the Right Peaches
Step One: Choose the Right Peaches
The first step to preserving peaches is to choose the right peaches. Look for peaches that are ripe but not overripe. You want to find peaches that are firm but yield to gentle pressure. Avoid peaches with blemishes, bruises, or cuts. These types of damage can lead to mold or bacteria growth. Once you’ve selected your peaches, give them a rinse with cold water and then pat them dry.
Step Two: Prepare the Peaches
The best way to enjoy fresh peaches all year long is to preserve them when they are in season. Peaches are a stone fruit, meaning they have a large pit in the center that needs to be removed before preserving. Peaches can be preserved whole, sliced, or pureed, and can be preserved using sugar, syrup, or freezer storage.
Sugar is the most common method of preservation for fruit because it not only sweetens the fruit but also prevents browning. Syrup preserves fruit by suspending it in a heavy sugar solution, which not only prevents browning but also keeps the fruit from drying out. Freezer storage is the easiest way to preserve peaches because it requires no prep work and the peaches can be used straight from the freezer.
To prepare peaches for preserving, start by washing them in cool water. Next, cut off any bruised or blemished areas of the peach. Then, cut the peach in half and remove the pit. If you are preserving whole peaches, leave the skin on. If you are slicing or pureeing the peaches, you can remove the skin now or after cooking.
Step Three: Fill the Jars
Step Three: Fill the Jars
Once you have your jars and lids sterilized and your peaches peeled, it’s time to start filling your jars. Fill the jars with peaches, making sure to leave about 1/2 to 1 inch of headspace at the top of the jar. Headspace is the amount of space between the top of the food in the jar and the top of the jar itself.
If you are adding a sugar syrup, you can add it now. To make a sugar syrup, mix 2 parts sugar to 1 part water and heat on the stove until the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, bring to a boil and remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly before adding it to your jars.
If you are not adding a sugar syrup, you can add lemon juice or citric acid to your jars now. This helps to preserve color and flavor. For every quart (4 cups) of peaches, add 1/4 cup lemon juice or 1 teaspoon citric acid.
Step Four: Process the Jars
This is the most critical step in preserving any fruit or vegetable. If not done properly, jars can break, seals can fail, and botulism can develop. Follow these steps to process your jars properly:
1. Fill a large pot with water and place it on the stove. Set the heat to medium-high and bring the water to a boil.
2. Carefully lower the jars into the boiling water using a canning rack or a jar lifter. Make sure the jars are completely submerged in the water.
3. Boil the jars for 10 minutes to sterilize them.
4. Remove the jars from the pot of boiling water and set them on a clean towel to cool. Do not touch the lids of the jars until they have cooled completely.
5. Once the jars are cooled, check the seals to make sure they are intact. If any of the seals are broken, do not use those jars and start over with new ones.
Step Five: Store the Jars
Store the jars in a dark, cool place. Avoid places like the pantry that gets a lot of sunlight or near the stove where it might get too hot. A basement or root cellar is ideal.
Tips and Tricks
With peak peach season upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how to best preserve these delicious stone fruits. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your peaches all season long.
· Rinse your peaches in cool water before using them. This will help remove any dirt or debris that may be on the surface.
· If you’re not planning on eating the peaches right away, store them in the fridge. This will help them stay fresh for longer.
· To freeze peaches, first rinse them and then slice them into thin pieces. Place the sliced peaches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 2 hours. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
· If you want to make peach preserves, start by boiling a large pot of water. Add the peaches and let them cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and then place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once they’re cooled, remove the skin and then slice the peaches into small pieces. From there, you can follow your favorite recipe for peach preserves.
FAQs
How long do fresh peaches last?
Answer: Fresh peaches last about 2-3 days on the counter or in a cool, dry place If you put them in the fridge, they can last up to a week.
Can you freeze fresh peaches?
Answer: You can freeze fresh peaches! Just make sure to wash and slice them first. You can either freeze them with or without sugar. If you choose to freeze them with sugar, use about 1/2 cup of sugar for every 4 cups of peaches.
How can you tell if a peach is ripe?
Answer: There are a few ways to tell if a peach is ripe. First, check to see if the peach smells sweet. Then, gently press on the peach. If it gives slightly, it’s probably ripe. Finally, take a look at the color of the peach. Ripe peaches are often more yellow than green.
Conclusion
There are many different ways to preserve peaches, but some methods are better than others. If you want to enjoy fresh peaches all year long, canning is the best way to go. With proper canning techniques, your peaches will taste delicious and be safe to eat for up to a year.
If you don’t have time to can your peaches, freezing is another option. Frozen peaches will taste fresher than canned peaches, but they won’t last as long. Your frozen peaches will be good for 6-8 months.
Dehydrating is another popular way to preserve food but it doesn’t work well for peaches. Dehydrated peaches are often chewy and don’t taste as good as other preserved peach products.
