This Season
 
Explore

How to Make Apricot Preserves

Fresh apricots are in season for a relatively short time during the summer. In the United States, California grows around 95 percent of the apricots for the nation, with each variety boasting its own unique features. Old-fashioned Tiltons are excellent for eating out of hand, large deep-orange Pattersons are a great choice when canning and the rich flavor of Blenheims makes them ideal for making jam. Makes 7 c. or 7 (8-oz.) jars.

Related Searches:
    Difficulty:
    Moderate

    Instructions

    Things You'll Need

    • 3 lbs. apricots to yield 4 c. crushed fruit
    • 7 c. sugar
    • 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
    • 3 oz. liquid fruit pectin
    • Groceries
    • Baking Sheets
    • Canning Jars
    • Canning Lids
    • Colanders
    • Cooking Pots
    • Food Processors
    • Measuring Cups
    • Paring Knives
    • Saucepans
    • Slotted Spoons
    • Tongs
    • Wire Cooling Rack
    • Canning jars
    • Baking sheets
    • Measuring cups
      • 1

        Wash jars in hot soapy water and rinse. Place on a rack in the sink and pour boiling water in and over each jar. Drain. Keep hot by transferring clean jars to a cookie tray and placing in a 200-degree F oven.

      • 2

        Prepare lids by placing in a saucepan of gently boiling water.

      • 3

        Place the apricots in a colander and rinse under cool running water. Cut the apricots in half, then remove and discard the pits. Place the fruit in a food processor and process for 35 to 45 seconds until quite smooth.

      • 4

        Measure the crushed apricots into a 6- or 8-qt. pot. Stir the sugar and lemon juice into the fruit and mix well. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.

      • 5

        Add the pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.

      • 6

        Remove from heat, and skim off and discard any foam using a metal spoon. Ladle the jam into a liquid measuring cup and fill the jars immediately to within 1/8 inch of the top.

      • 7

        Wipe jar rims and threads with a clean, damp cloth.

      • 8

        Remove the jar lids from the boiling water using tongs, and place on a paper towel. Wipe dry.

      • 9

        Place the lids on the jars and screw on tightly. Invert the jars for 5 minutes, then turn upright.

      • 10

        Check the seals after 1 hour to make sure the lids are curving down.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Follow jam recipes exactly, or the jam may not set properly. There's also a danger of spoilage.

    • The process described above was tested and is recommended by Kraft Foods. However, if desired, the water bath process may be used in place of the inversion method. Follow the first 8 steps. Place lids on jars and screw on tightly. Place jars on a sturdy rack in a canner or large saucepan of boiling water to cover the jars by 1 to 2 inches. Place the lid on the canner and bring water back to a boil. Boil 5 minutes for 8 ounce jars. Remove jars from the canner and let cool. Check the seals after 1 hour to make sure the lids are curving down.

    • Always take extreme care when making jam - it's a very hot process.

    Related Searches

    Comments

    You May Also Like

    • How to Make Apricot Jam

      July and August are good months to pick up apricots for jam. This recipe makes 5 pints.

    • How to Make Absolutely Fabulous Low Sugar Apricot Jam

      Jams and jellies made of fruit often include large amounts of sugar to sweeten them. However, fruits such as apricots require very...

    • About Dried Apricots

      Apricots are one of the more popular fruits to begin with, because of their rather exotic "musky" flavor that is somewhere between...

    • Recipes for Apricot Jam

      Apricots are delicious when eaten fresh, dried or baked in cobblers. Apricots are particularly tempting when made into a thick, fruity jam...

    • How to Recipes | Apricot Spinach Salad Recipe

      Great recipe for apricot spinach salad. If you like the flavor of apricots and are looking for an easy salad to make,...

    • Facts About Apricot Trees

      Facts About Apricot Trees. Apricot trees provide growers with shade, beauty and a sweet, versatile fruit. These fruits can be used for...

    • How to Make Apricot Chicken

      Why not take your next dull chicken meal and turn it into a tasty treat? Nothing better than adding a sweet fruity...

    • How to Make Pluot Jam

      A pluot is a hybrid fruit that's a combination of a plum and apricot. If you are lucky enough to live where...

    • Plum Jam Recipes

      Plum jam is easy to make, tastes delicious, and fills your pantry shelf with pretty colored mason jars. Few things are needed...

    • Drying Apricots with Sodium Bisulfite

      Dried apricots make a nutritious snack or tasty addition to baked goods, such as muffins and cookies. Dried apricots are more flavorful...

    • How to Use Dried Apricots in Freezer Jam

      Freezer jam is a quick and painless alternative to a hot water canner. Freezer jam has its advantages not only in its...

    • How to Make Peach Preserves

      Fresh peaches are delicious eaten on their own, sliced over cereals and ice cream or made into pies and cobblers. You can...

    • How to Grow Apricots

      An apricot is a small, yellow-orange fruit grown from an apricot tree. An apricot tree is medium-sized with a large canopy. Eat...

    • How to Freeze Apricots

      Apricots are small pale orange fruits with a slight outer covering of fuzz. If you have an excessive amount of apricots that...

    • How to Make Mulberry Jam a Canning Recipe

      Mulberries are an often overlooked berry. They are very healthy and easily found growing wild in many areas. If you are a...

    • Uses of Food Canning

      Uses of Food Canning. Canning, along with drying, is one of the oldest methods for preserving food. Canning is most common in...

    • How to Make Apricot-Glazed Carrots

      For a quick and simple gourmet side dish, try cooked carrots with a sweet, tangy glaze. Whether you wish to add zest...

    • How to Use Fresh Apricots

      Fresh apricots are typically ready to pick beginning in mid-May, and the harvest continues for about eight weeks. The versatile, luscious little...

    • How to Make Dried Apricots

      Take advantage of summer's harvest and make delicious dried apricots at home using your dehydrator. Use your dried apricots in granola or...

    • The Nutrition of Dry Vs. Fresh Apricots

      Apricots are a delicious and versatile fruit. Dried and added to cereals, baked goods and trail mixes or eaten fresh and whole,...

    Follow eHow Food

    Related Ads

    eHow's Food Blog Table Talk

    Cuppa No: Three Good Coffee Substitutes

    A few months ago, my husband James decided to quit drinking coffee. After an endless cycle of mood swings, headaches, and insomnia had taken theirï؟½