To say that I’ve taken a shine to small batch canning would be an understatement. I plan my weekends around what jam I might whip up next. I scour the stores for canning related items – jars, lids, pectin. You might say I’ve been stimulating the economy one small batch at a time.
While this may not lead to an actual economic recovery, I think these jars are worth their weight in gold.
Gingered Peach Marmalade
Adapted from The Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving
BAH Note: The recipe in the book calls for this to be cooked up in the microwave. Me, I prefer to have large containers of molten hot sugar on the stove top where I can easily monitor the jamming progress and where I’m not reaching up over my head to take hot bowl of said molten sugar out for a stir. So that’s how I’m presenting it. You want to make it in the microwave, go order the book.
- 1 orange
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups chopped peaches, fresh or frozen
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, chopped
Zest the orange and lemon and place the zest in a dutch oven with the water. Place the lemon and orange pulp in a food processor and pulse until it is well chopped. Transfer the lemon and orange pulp to the dutch oven and cook over medium heat for five minutes.
Add the peaches, sugar, and ginger to the dutch oven. Bring to a boil and continue to cook, stirring, occasionally, until it gels.
Ladle the jam into heated jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space, and process for 10 minutes.
Let the jars cool for 24 hours before checking the seal and storing the jars. Any jars that have not sealed should be refrigerated or immediately reprocessed using new lids.
Bon Appetit Hon 
This was magically delicious. Not too sweet, just right. And no, I still haven’t ordered that book because I am a big slacker.
Well my slacker friend, it’s time to get you on the canning bandwagon. Don’t think you have to wait till next peach season to get started….I believe I made this particular batch with frozen peaches.
You’re making my mouth water. All I can think of now is a big slice of rustic French bread with a thick layer of (real) butter, topped with this marvellous jam.
Jenna, I like the way that sounds. And now all I can think about is shoving food in my face. Guess that means it’s lunch time.
Oh, I am in love with that book. I got it from the library 4 separate times last year, so finally I had to pick up a copy for myself. There’s just something great about having a nice assortment of lots of different canned items. I just love it. and, I love this marmalade. YUM 🙂
Jen, isn’t that a great book to have for when you want to make just a little bit of jam? Glad I’m not the only one who has this on the bookshelf.
That looks terrific! I’ve recently discovered canning too and now I can’t wait for my oranges to get ripe. And I’m off to get the book…
Karen, I hope you will enjoy the canning recipes in that book as much as I do. I’m still such a novice but there is something completely gratifying about hearing your jars “ping”. If only I had a fruit tree of my own….you’re a lucky lady.