Our family loves to eat peaches, so each year I try to can as many peaches as possible. This year we were able to get 4 – 25 pound boxes of peaches that were locally grown. Of course, as is the nature of Missouri weather in August, it was hot and humid at the time we were canning.
Can you tell the kids helped to cut the peach slices? 🙂
I had to ask myself while canning, “What wise crazy person would want to tackle canning 100 pounds of peaches when the heat index outside is 113 degrees?” I feel certain that we were approaching the same temperature in the kitchen even with the air conditioner running full tilt.
To make a big task smaller, everyone is enlisted to help. Adisyn and I peeled peaches, cut them in half and removed the pits; while Brock did double duty of helping entertain Isaiah and slicing peaches. Eli, Rebekah and Quinton helped cut the peaches into slices and stuff them into jars. Many hands really do make light work!
I’m sure that everyone who helped with the peaches will enjoy them that much more this winter. There is something so rewarding about seeing all those peaches in jars.
Here is how we can them:
Peaches
- 7 quart sliced or halved peaches (approximately 18 lbs.)
- 3 ¾ cups sugar
- 8 ¼ cups water
*Or instead of sugar/water syrup I have used apple juice.
Peach skins are very easy to remove if they are scalded and then plunged into cold water. I do them in batches by rinsing peaches and placing them in the sink. I then pour the boiling water over them for about a minute; then pull the plunger (Use a wooden spoon or other utensil as the water is scalding hot!) Then fill the sink back up with cold water for another minute or so. Skins should slip off easily. Cut peaches in half and remove pit (slice, if desired.) Ascorbic acid can be used to keep fruit from darkening. Place peach slices in prepared jars. Ladle boiling syrup or apple juice over peaches. Process jars according to chart below.
I hope that you have been able to add to your food storage this summer! I’d love to hear what you’ve been canning, freezing and drying.
Blessings,
Jennifer
You must have a lot of peaches!! Please come to our blog hop and share this!! https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/
Tana,
I hope that we will have lots of our own peaches in a few years, in the meantime we purchase them. I shared it this week on your blog hop.
Thank you for the invite!
Jennifer
Our peach trees are just about ready to pick! Great Info!
Here from Our Simple Homestead Blog Hop!
Tammy
http://www.simplypreparing.com
Tammy,
Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy those peaches!
Jennifer
Believe it or not, I have a peach tree that won’t be ripe for another week or so! It’s called an Indian Free, and is just now starting to get a rosy glow and that oh-so-wonderful smell! I will be canning some of these peaches, eating some fresh, then dehydrating the rest. Yum! BTW – canning vegetables with kids is great also, and they are more apt to eat them if they helped! 😉
Vickie,
I had to look up the Indian Free as I had never heard of that variety. It is beautiful and sounds delicious.
Enjoy!
Jennifer
Yum, those peaches look amazing. Posts like this would be perfect for the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop! Check it out: http://www.skipthebag.com/2016/09/waste-less-wednesday-blog-hop-5.html #wastelesswednesday
Thank you! I will stop by the Blog Hop, thanks for taking the time to invite me.
Sadly I missed peach season this year, but am looking at the last 2 jars of peaches on my shelf from last year, so now I am hoarding them,even though I need to use them up! Stopping by from Country Fair Blog Party!