PEACH JAM

"Hot crumpets with butter and jam. what could be more ambrosial..." -William Boyd

Probably the best  thing about the end of the summer. Peaches enveloped in gold. Smothered on hot crumpets with butter  to be devoured as soon as possible.

3 pounds of fresh peaches

1 package liquid pectin

2 tablespoons lemon juice

5 cups sugar

You can add a hint of cinnamon if you wish. I like it without.

Clean your jars and lids and so forth and boil in a large pot. Be sure to leave in the hot water till you need them.

Crush peaches after cutting into small pieces. I don’t skin them. Iike the texture this way much better.

"Sunrise paints the skies with pinks and paints with peaches.."

- Vera Nazarian

Toss peaches into large pot. Try not to miss the pot.

Add pectin and lemon juice. Stir well.

Place on  hot stove and stir to a full rolling boil.

There should be bubbles all over the top

ADD SUGAR now, and cinnamon, if using. Some people add a hint of hot spice or chipotle. Not my thing, but you can do so if you want.

"I turned my attention back to the copper of peach jam, releasing its autumnal scent.." -Joanne Harris

Heat up to a bubbling rolling boil once more.

Boil hard for 1 minute.

REMOVE from heat. Skim foam off the top

Take your clean HOT jars and fill to a ¼ inch from the top. Seal and process them back in the hot canning pot for about 5 mins in the bath. 

Tighten lids and let stand.

If you can , wait till cool and then slather away on toast, or eat by the spoonful from the jar,or on ice cream!

Photographs 2020