Peach Butter with a Twist

 For the past several years, I have given away half-pint jars of jams, jellies, preserves or butters to family and friends for Christmas gifts or stocking stuffer's (we do stockings @ my parents w/my siblings and their families that's 14 stockings to help fill each year).

Some people prefer "Butters" to the extra sweetness of jams and jellies. I try to make a variety: Apple butter, Banana Butter, Plum Butter, etc. I had given away my last Peach Butter the other day to my Ex (yes, we do get along for the most part-which is wonderful).

So when we were gifted with about 20 pounds of peaches this last week, I needed to make more peach butter. You can find a basic recipe for Peach butter here, but I always tweak my recipes some. I usually never make anything exactly the same way twice. I get close, but not exact since most of the time I am just making up the recipes as I go.

Now I can hear some of you saying, but this is "canning" we are talking about...we are suppose to follow the recipes to the letter... Yes, for most things you need to. I agree. But when it comes to the butters, jams, jellies, and preserves there is usually so much sugar (which is a preservative) it is really hard to go wrong on those. I have never had any problem with any spoilage, but that is me. You can use this recipe (which is mine) but keep in mind it is not a USDA approved recipe and you will be using it at your own risk. I take on no liability for the outcome. Except to say that mine turned out wonderful and delicious.

Peach Butter with a Twist

20 peaches, peeled, pitted, then grind or mash (I used a food processor to grind up)

3 cups sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 to 1 teaspoon of nutmeg

1 cinnamon stick

Combine all ingredients into a large heavy bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-heat, stirring often. (This mixture is a heavy mixture and will splatter when it boils, unless constant stirring is done. So, be prepared for a mess if you aren't stirring.) Continue to boil for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours until thickened. A spoonful placed onto a chilled saucer should remain smooth with no watery sign. Remove the cinnamon stick.

Fill hot sterile jars to within 1/3 inch head-space. Process in a BWB for 10 minutes for pints. This recipe yielded  10 half-pint jars.

Peach Almond Jam

 I was looking for new and different recipe to use up some of the peaches that we were gifted with this week. I have in recent days canned a lot of peaches in the form of: peach pie filling and peaches in syrup. I still have plenty of those and wanted something unique to use as stocking stuffer and gifts for Christmas. After some searching, I found this recipe for Peach Almond Jam here except that I modified it some. I added more peaches, cut back on total sugar, then doubled extract and almonds.

This makes an excellent gourmet jam that is GREAT for gift giving. The unique distinction in this jam is the fact that it has almonds within the body of the jam. This add a crunch and extra texture that is usually not found in jams. Nuts are usually added to Conserves, but I really liked this added texture here.

Peach Almond Jam

5 lbs. peaches, peeled and finely chopped (8 cups)

1 cup almonds - chopped (I used my coffee grinder and did a rough grind)

1/2 cup lemon juice

6 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 pouch liquid pectin

In 6 quart sauce pan, place fruit, lemon juice and almonds. Then stir in sugar. Place over high heat and bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and immediately stir in pectin and almond extract. You can skim off the foam with metal spoon if you want to have a "pretty" finished product. I usually do not do this. I just ladle it all into clean hot sterile jars. Fill to 1/4 inch head space. Process in BWB for 5 minutes for half-pints and 10 minutes for pint jars. Yielded 7 half-pint jars.

   

Peach Raspberry Lavender Jam

This is a very tasty gourmet jam. Great for gift giving. It has beautiful color and flavor. The hint of lavender adds a floral note, but you can omit it if you would like.

I like to add it, because it gives the jam an unexpected flavor that just adds to the fruitiness of the taste.

 Peach Raspberry Lavender Jam

4 teaspoons dried lavender buds (natural food market)

3 pound peaches, peeled and finely chopped

1 pint red raspberries, rinsed

2 1/4 cups sugar

6 tablespoons lemon juice

1 pkg pectin

Put lavender buds in a small bowl. Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over the buds and steep for 10 minutes or so. Strain the scented water into a bowl and set aside. Discard the buds.

In a 6 quart sauce pan over medium-heat, combine peaches, raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, until liquid has thickened and is like the consistency of maple syrup, about 20 minutes. Stir in the lavender water and pectin. Return to a full rolling boil, stirring often and boil hard for 1 to 2 more minutes.

Remove pan from heat and ladle into sterile jars. Process in a BWB for 10 minutes for pints and half-pint jars. This will make approx. 7 half-pint jars.

My, Oh My What a Surprise!

Children are special...I love my kids dearly and they know it. They get told "I Love You" on a daily basis. So it really didn't catch me too off guard too much when our daughter, Michele, gave me a gift on Friday when I arrived home.

She met me in the hallway and said, "Mom, I found this for you today. I thought about waiting until Christmas to give it to you, but I just couldn't."  She then handed me a small white box. Inside was two necklaces. One with an open heart that says "Mother" and a smaller heart that fits inside the other that says "Daughter". This means a lot to me.

As a mother of this almost 18yo, I know that teens can focus a lot on friends, relationships or lack there of, school, music, cars, etc.  But I have to say that I am thankful that my two teens seem to "get" what life is about (most of the time)...Family, Loving, Caring, Sharing, and Building lasting and worthwhile Friendships...

Thank you, Lord for giving me such loving children. My prayer is that they stay true to themselves and reflect God's love in all that they do.