More canning

I got two boxes of peaches and spent part of yesterday canning six quart jars. I am still a novice when it comes to this canning stuff but I decided to put down how I did it anyway.

First I got all my supplies together.

Stockpot for cooking, pot of boiling water for blanching, jars, peaches, and sugar water mix.

The cat decided to get in on the act by making sure I emptied the sugar bag completely.

I didn't take pictures up to this point but what I did was blanched the peaches in boiling water (put them in for 20 - 30 seconds) which makes it so much easier to get the peel off. Then I sliced the peaches and put the slices into a solution of water and lemon juice so they don't turn brown. I saved the peels for compost and I am keeping the pits to start growing my own peach tree.

Once I had about 15 or 16 peaches done I put them into a solution of 6 cups sugar and 8 cups water. I also added brown sugar and a little corn starch but you don't have to do that.

There are several methods you can use for canning but I like hot packing where the fruit is cooked first then put into the jars. To fill the jars I use a funnel and put a plate underneath the jar because it will get slightly messy. Be sure to leave about 1 inch head space at the top.

After the jars are filled and lids screwed on tight you will need to boil the jars for around a half hour making sure that all the lids are down in the center.

Remember, I am still a novice at this and I am just putting down methods that I have learned and use. But I am learning a lot of new things here and I like it.