How to Can & Freeze Peaches
Can or freeze your peaches during the summer to enjoy the taste of fresh peaches throughout the year. Since peaches are best during the summertime, canning and freezing are great ways to preserve the fruit. Canned peaches have a shelf life between 12 and 18 months, and frozen peaches have a shelf life between eight and 12 months. (Reference 3) Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Peaches
- Large pot
- Large tub
- Knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Ascorbic acid
- Sugar
- Heavy plastic containers
- Quart-sized ball jars
- Funnel
- Large slotted spoon
- Boiling-water canner
- Jar lifting tongs
Instructions
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1
Choose ripe peaches that are not too hard and not too soft. Farmer's markets are often great places to find quality peaches during the summer. It often takes about five peaches to fill a quart.
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2
Boil a large pot of water. While the water is boiling, wash all of the peaches in cool water.
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3
Drop the peaches into the large pan of boiling water for 30 to 45 seconds. This will make it easier to remove the skin of the peach.
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4
Remove all the peaches from the boiling water and place in a large tub of ice water to cool.
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5
Cut each peach in half and remove the pit. Continue to cut peaches to the desired number of slices.
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6
Place all peach slices into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle ascorbic acid over the peaches. Use 1/4 tsp. of ascorbic acid dissolved in 3 tbsp. of cold water for each quart of peaches.
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7
Add 2/3 cup of sugar for each quart of peaches. Stir until all the sugar dissolves.
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8
Pack into heavy plastic containers, leaving 1/2 inch of room at the top in order to freeze. For canned peaches, pack into ball jars using a funnel and leave 1/2 inch of room.
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9
Place ball jars in the boiling-water canner for 35 to 45 minutes.
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10
Lift the jars out of the boiling water with the jar lifting tongs. The center of the lid should be pushed down. If it pops up and down, then replace the lid with another and boil the jar for another 35 to 45 minutes.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a spatula to dip down into the ball jar before tightening the lid. This will get rid of unwanted air bubbles in the jar.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit peaches image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
