Homemade Peach Jam
Homemade Peach Jam
My mom and I love attending cooking classes and then taking our lessons learned, to our own kitchen. This recipe is inspired from a preserving jam class my mom and I took at The Book Larder in Seattle, Washington. After a few rounds in my own kitchen, I came up with a great recipe that quite frankly, is quicker to make than a trip to the grocery store and even better yet, you know exactly what’s in it. It’s easy, quick and absolutely delicious on toast, buttery biscuits, vanilla ice cream, granola, or even used to flavor plain yogurt.
Yield: 2 1/2 cups
Preparation time: 20 minutes + 10 minutes rest
Cook Time: 17 minutes
1 1/2 pounds peeled and pitted fresh peaches (approximately 6 medium size), sliced into 1/2-inch thick wedges
1 cup honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice (juice from approximately half a lemon)
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh mint
Method:
1. In a large fry pan off heat, add peaches, honey, lemon juice, and mint. Allow to sit undisturbed off heat for 5 minutes – this allows additional juices to form before the cooking process begins.
2. Turn heat to medium high and cook while stirring until thick and syrup develops, approximately 17 minutes. One way to tell the right consistency is by using your spatula to make a line down the middle of the pan. If the gap remains open and the liquid doesn’t quickly run to fill the space, it has reached the right consistency.
3. Remove from heat and allow to sit at room temperature in the pan for 5 minutes.
4. In canning jars or any other container that is heat proof, evenly divide the jam. Allow to sit uncovered until room temperature. Cover and place in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. NOTE: This is not shelf-stable - See “kitchen note.”
5. Best enjoyed on toast, almond cake, or to adorn a yogurt parfait.
Kitchen Note: This recipe does not include proper steps on canning and creating a shelf-stable product. With that being said, keep jam refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Fresh jams make for great hostess gifts, if you don’t eat it first! Adding additional fruits with the peaches for a little color, and changing up the mint with another herb is a great way to customize the recipe to your liking.