Welcome, friends! My name is Rachel, and you’re here at That 1870s Homestead. Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of processing peaches. With a bountiful harvest of peaches, including some that are quite soft, we have a busy day ahead. Let’s get started!
Processing the Peaches
Step 1: Preparing the Peaches
Blanching the Peaches: Begin by blanching the peaches to make peeling easier. Place the peaches in boiling water for two to three minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath. This process helps the skins slip right off.
Sorting the Peaches: As you peel, separate the firm peaches from the mushy ones. The firm peaches can be pre-loaded into jars for making salsa, while the softer ones can be used for other recipes like peach butter or peach jam.
Step 2: Slicing and Dicing
Slicing Peaches: Slice the firm peaches and load them into jars. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect; they’ll still taste delicious.
Dicing Peaches for Salsa: Dice the mushy peaches and set them aside for making peach salsa. This allows you to multitask and make the most of your peach harvest.
Making Peach Salsa
Ingredients
Peaches: Diced, from the softer peaches.
Vinegar: Just shy of a cup of white vinegar.
Honey: Four teaspoons, to add a touch of sweetness.
Onions: About three cups of red onions.
Peppers: A mix of jalapeños, overripe banana peppers, purple bell peppers, and orange bell peppers.
Cumin: A heaping tablespoon for flavor.
Cayenne Pepper: To taste, for a bit of heat.
Garlic and Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is best, but jarred will work in a pinch.
Instructions
Combine Ingredients: In a pot, combine the diced peaches, vinegar, honey, onions, peppers, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic, and cilantro.
Cook the Salsa: Cook the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency. It should thicken as it cooks, but remember it will continue to thicken in the jar.
Prepare Jars: Sterilize your jars by boiling them. Half-pint jars are ideal for peach salsa as it’s a specialty item.
Fill and Seal Jars: Fill the jars with the hot salsa, leaving appropriate headspace. Wipe the rims clean, place the lids on, and seal with the bands.
Water Bath Canning: Process the jars in a water bath for 15 minutes to ensure a proper seal and preserve the salsa.
Uses for Peach Salsa
Peach salsa is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with shrimp tacos, pulled pork, blackened chicken, or even just with chips. It’s also great on a charcuterie board with cheeses and crackers.
Additional Peach Recipes
Canned Peaches
Simple Syrup Method: For an easy canning process, add a little sugar to each jar and top with water to create a simple syrup.
Processing: Can the jars in a water bath for about 20 minutes.
Peach Butter and Jam
Peach Butter: Cook down peach jam further to create a rich, spreadable peach butter.
Freezing Slices: Slice and freeze peaches for later use in recipes like peach apple crisp or smoothies.
Tips and Tricks
Canning Efficiency: Use your time efficiently by preparing multiple recipes at once.
Ingredient Freshness: Fresh cilantro adds a bright flavor to peach salsa, so try to use fresh whenever possible.
Creative Cooking: Experiment with different recipes like peach barbecue sauce or steak burger sauce to keep things exciting.
Conclusion
Processing peaches can be a rewarding experience, yielding delicious and versatile products like canned peaches, peach salsa, peach butter, and more. Whether you’re new to canning or a seasoned pro, these recipes and tips will help you make the most of your peach harvest. happy canning!
Welcome, friends! My name is Rachel, and you’re here at That 1870s Homestead. Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of processing peaches. With a bountiful harvest of peaches, including some that are quite soft, we have a busy day ahead. Let’s get started!
Processing the Peaches
Step 1: Preparing the Peaches
Blanching the Peaches: Begin by blanching the peaches to make peeling easier. Place the peaches in boiling water for two to three minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath. This process helps the skins slip right off.
Sorting the Peaches: As you peel, separate the firm peaches from the mushy ones. The firm peaches can be pre-loaded into jars for making salsa, while the softer ones can be used for other recipes like peach butter or peach jam.
Step 2: Slicing and Dicing
Slicing Peaches: Slice the firm peaches and load them into jars. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect; they’ll still taste delicious.
Dicing Peaches for Salsa: Dice the mushy peaches and set them aside for making peach salsa. This allows you to multitask and make the most of your peach harvest.
Making Peach Salsa
Ingredients
Peaches: Diced, from the softer peaches.
Vinegar: Just shy of a cup of white vinegar.
Honey: Four teaspoons, to add a touch of sweetness.
Onions: About three cups of red onions.
Peppers: A mix of jalapeños, overripe banana peppers, purple bell peppers, and orange bell peppers.
Cumin: A heaping tablespoon for flavor.
Cayenne Pepper: To taste, for a bit of heat.
Garlic and Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is best, but jarred will work in a pinch.
Instructions
Combine Ingredients: In a pot, combine the diced peaches, vinegar, honey, onions, peppers, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic, and cilantro.
Cook the Salsa: Cook the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency. It should thicken as it cooks, but remember it will continue to thicken in the jar.
Prepare Jars: Sterilize your jars by boiling them. Half-pint jars are ideal for peach salsa as it’s a specialty item.
Fill and Seal Jars: Fill the jars with the hot salsa, leaving appropriate headspace. Wipe the rims clean, place the lids on, and seal with the bands.
Water Bath Canning: Process the jars in a water bath for 15 minutes to ensure a proper seal and preserve the salsa.
Uses for Peach Salsa
Peach salsa is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with shrimp tacos, pulled pork, blackened chicken, or even just with chips. It’s also great on a charcuterie board with cheeses and crackers.
Additional Peach Recipes
Canned Peaches
Simple Syrup Method: For an easy canning process, add a little sugar to each jar and top with water to create a simple syrup.
Processing: Can the jars in a water bath for about 20 minutes.
Peach Butter and Jam
Peach Butter: Cook down peach jam further to create a rich, spreadable peach butter.
Freezing Slices: Slice and freeze peaches for later use in recipes like peach apple crisp or smoothies.
Tips and Tricks
Canning Efficiency: Use your time efficiently by preparing multiple recipes at once.
Ingredient Freshness: Fresh cilantro adds a bright flavor to peach salsa, so try to use fresh whenever possible.
Creative Cooking: Experiment with different recipes like peach barbecue sauce or steak burger sauce to keep things exciting.
Conclusion
Processing peaches can be a rewarding experience, yielding delicious and versatile products like canned peaches, peach salsa, peach butter, and more. Whether you’re new to canning or a seasoned pro, these recipes and tips will help you make the most of your peach harvest. happy canning!
