09/30/2025
Does anyone else simultaneously love and dread harvest season? We were able to pick a bunch of peaches from a neighbor whose tree wasn't stripped to the bone by squirrels like ours was. So today I'm starting the process of putting up 8 lb of peaches for peach preserves. These photos don't include the additional 5-10lb of peaches my kiddos have eaten straight off the counter 🤣
The recipe from "Canning for a New Generation" calls for peeling every peach to make jam, but who has time for that!? I only peel the peaches that have spots on them that I can't easily cut away. A quick X with a paring knife, a minute in boiling water, and a couple minutes in an ice bath are all it takes to easily slip the skins off. It's kind of the same process as boiling eggs for deviled eggs.
I'm trying to slow down and appreciate the time I have for the process, and also remind myself of the gratitude I'll feel in February when we get to put a jam bursting with summer flavor on a biscuit.