Spiced Ginger Peach Jam Recipe 435

Steps:

• Place peaches in a glass or plastic container with a lid and immediately mix with lemon juice to prevent browning. Stir in sugar and ginger. Cover and marinate in a cool place, 8 hours to overnight.
• Inspect 5 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Transfer peaches and all accumulated liquid to a large pot. Stir in pectin and slowly bring mixture to a full rolling boil that does not stop bubbling when stirred. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and stir in amaretto liqueur, adding more to taste.
• Ladle peach jam into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly 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 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

Steps:

• Bring peaches, ginger, and pectin to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and butter; cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Return to a boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute more. Remove from heat, and skim off any foam with a spoon.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the peach jam 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 over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full 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. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

Steps:

• Equipment needed/recommended: Canning kit: includes pot with lid, canning rack, funnel, tongs Canning jars, bands and lids, washed and sanitized (I set them in the water canning pot, while the water is coming to a boil, remove with tongs and set on a baking sheet with a towel Large bowl of ice with water (for blanching the peaches) For the peaches: Wash the fruit and bring a large pot of water to a boil. With a paring knife, cut a small "x" on the bottom of each peach (I also cut an "x" on the top of each peach). When the water is boiling, gently place the peaches in the pot and cook for 2 minutes, max. Using a slotted spoon, remove the peaches into an ice water bath and allow to sit for a few minutes. Using a paring knife (I use my fingers), pull on the skin at an "x" and the peels should come right off. If adding the ginger and spices, prep those and set aside. For the jam: Mash (or use the pulse feature on a food processor) the peeled peaches, to yield 8 cups. Add the prepared fruit into a large pot, and add the sugar. Bring to a gentle boil, and slowly add the pectin. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, ginger and spices (if using) and vanilla(or vanilla bean seeds). Allow the jam to come to a rolling boil, can take about 10 minutes. TIP: I know when the jam has thickened enough when it coats the back of a spoon. I like to freeze a few spoons, to better test this theory. Once the jam is thick, turn off the heat. Carefully spoon the jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4" head space. Add a lid and band and tighten-- but don't over tighten. I like to water can the filled jars, by placing them into a canning rack, and bring to a boil for about ten minutes. Remove, carefully, with tongs onto a baking sheet with a fresh towel. Listen for the "ping" as each can self-seals. Enjoy this jam with fresh scones or homemade bread. Delicious!

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Peel and pit peaches; finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 4-1/2 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in ginger.
• Stir pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

Steps:

• The first thing I do is get the jars and lids ready. Here are two methods I use: Wash and rinse jars and place them in the dishwasher and turn on the heat dry cycle. Wash and dry jars and place on a cookie sheet and place in the oven on it's lowest temperature. Note: The rings need to be clean but do not need to be warmed. Place the lids in a small sauce pan and cover them with warm water (also called a Hot Water Bath). Put them on a burner with the temp at its lowest setting. You want them to be hot but don't let them boil! Fill a small sized canner with water, about half way and turn on the heat. You will need the water to be very warm but not boiling when you add the jars filled with jam. If the jars aren't covered with water you need to add enough water so they are covered by at least 2 inches of water. Note: Putting a cold jar into a hot canner could cause the glass to break and that would be a big mess to clean up. For the Jam: In a quart size saucepan mix together the lemon juice, water and spices and stir. Set aside. Remove the skins from the peaches in a hotwater bath for 30-seconds and then plunge into ice water. The skin will come right off. Cut your peaches in half and remove the pit. Cut your peaches into small peaches and add to your sugar mixture one cup at a time, stirring until the sugar/spice is well distributed. Continue until all the peaches are evenly covered with the mixture. Put over medium heat and stir until mixture comes to a slow simmer and the peaches are soft. Add the sugar a little at a time, stirring constantly until all the sugar is mixed in. Continue stirring until the mixture boils and starts to thicken. You can also use a thermometer until it reaches 220 degrees if you are unsure. Now you need to get your clean jars out and pour your jam into each one, leaving 1/4-inch head space. With a clean, damp towel, wipe the rim of each jar. Pull a lid out of the hot water bath and place on top of the jar and then add a ring and screw on tight. Place them into your canning basket and lower them into the hot water. Bring water to a boil and process for 10 minutes. If your jars are jumping around in your canner you need to turn the heat down. They could break. You want a slow rolling boil. After 10 minutes, removed them from the canner and place on a dry towel on your counter and let them cool completely. You should hear the lids pop and that is telling you that the process worked. I always count the pops. If you aren't sure, push down on the lid and if it is firm and doesn't pop up and down, you are all sealed. If you get one that didn't pop, don't worry. Put it in your fridge and use that one first. Enjoy!