Peaches, apricots, and nectarines are flavorsome fruits, and by canning them yourself you can save a lot of money. Prepare canned peaches, apricots, and nectarines using a light syrup so that you can enjoy the full flavor of the fruit.
Apricots make a sunny-flavored addition to winter meals. They make a great substitute for apples in an apple crisp recipe, too.
Canned Peaches, Apricots, and Nectarines
You follow the same steps and cooking times for all three of these luscious fruits. The only difference is in the prep step: Whereas you have to peel peaches, you leave the peel on apricots and nectarines. To make a sweeter canned fruit, use a medium syrup.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Processing time: Pints, 25 minutes; quarts, 30 minutes
Yield: 8 pints or 4 quarts
10 pounds apricots or 10 pounds nectarines or 12 pounds peaches
Sugar syrup, light
Prepare your canning jars and two-piece caps (lids and screw bands) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep the jars and lids hot.
Wash your fruit. Meanwhile, bring the sugar syrup to a boil.
To prepare peaches, peel them; then cut them in half and remove the pits. To prepare nectarines or apricots, simply cut them in half and remove the pits (leaving the peel on).
To make peaches easy to peel, blanch them to loosen the skin: Dip them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then dip them in cold water.
Pack the fruit firmly into hot jars and pour boiling hot sugar syrup over fruit, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
Release any air bubbles with a nonreactive utensil. Wipe the jar rims; seal the jars with the two-piece caps, hand-tightening the bands.
Process the filled jars in a water-bath canner for 25 minutes (pints) or 30 minutes (quarts) from the point of boiling.
Remove the jars from the canner with a jar lifter. Place them on a clean kitchen towel away from drafts.
After the jars cool completely, test the seals. If you find jars that haven’t sealed, refrigerate them and use them within two weeks.
Per 1/2-cup serving peaches: Calories 88 (From fat 1); Fat 0g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 4mg; Carbohydrates 23g (Dietary fiber 2g); Protein 1g
Per 1/2-cup serving apricots: Calories 118 (From fat 5); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 2mg; Carbohydrates 29g (Dietary fiber 3g); Protein 2g
Per 1/2-cup serving nectarines: Calories 118 (From fat 5); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 0mg; Carbohydrates 29g (Dietary fiber 2g); Protein 1g