Georgia Peach Jam with Dried Currants

With summer coming to an end, it's the last week of Georgia peaches. Here's a simple recipe with a twist for making peach jam. We recommend applying a dollop (or two) of jam atop homemade buttermilk biscuits, mixing in fruit salads, or adding to your iced tea as a sweetener.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Peaches
• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 Tbl Lemon Juice
• Salt
• 2 each Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 cup Dried Currants

Canning Preparations

1. Wash jars and bands in hot, soapy water. Rinse
2. Place jars inside a canner filled with water, bring to boil.
3. Boil jars for 15 minutes to sterilize.
4. Place lids and bands in warm water, do not boil. Leave until ready to use.

Instructions

1. Rinse the peaches under cool running water.
2. Place whole fresh peaches in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. I scored peaches and roasted at 400F  for 6 to 8 minutes until skins are able to be peeled off. Allow to cool at room temperature.
3. Remove and place in a sink with cold ice water.
4. Peel peaches, remove the pit, slice in half, then into quarters.
5. Slice each quarter into 2 or 3 chunks.
6. Place cut peaches in bowl and toss with lemon juice.
7. Place in food processor and pulse into small bits but do not liquefy.
8. Place a saucepan on stove, set to medium heat.
9. Add water, then sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
10. Add peach pulp and continue to stir until it thickens.
11. Add Cinnamon Stick
12. As it thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking and burning.
13. Fold in dried currants once the jam is to the consistency you desire.
14. When done, ladle into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
15. Remove air bubbles, wipe rim, add lid and band. Finger tighten.
16. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water canner or according to the time for your altitude.
17. Remove from canner, and place on folded towel for 24 hours in a draft free location.
18. May be stored in a dark cool place for a year or longer.

Enjoy!

Recipe: Potted Blueberries with Balsamic and Rosemary

Sadly, the blueberry season here in Georgia is coming to an end. The potted berries are go great on a cheese or meat platters….or even in salads.. Try it with a local cheese, such as Many Folds Farm Brebis or one of my favorite’s from the west coast- Cypress Groves Midnight Moon. Here's a simple way to savor the season and allow these berries to last a bit longer.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb Blueberries
• 2 sprigs Rosemary
• ¾ cups Granulated Cane Sugar
• 1 ½ cups Water
• 30 Black Peppercorns
• 3 each Whole Allspice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash blueberries under cold water then pat dry with paper towels.
2. Place in prepared canning jars. You want to leave blueberries whole so be sure not squish them down.
3. In a small pot combine balsamic, water, sugar, black peppercorns, and whole allspice.  Begin to heat up liquid on medium heat to dissolve sugar and infuse the spices.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes then strain and discard spices.
5. Reserve liquid and allow to cool.
6. Once cooled, pour over the jarred blueberries and rosemary.
7. Cover with a tight lid and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

This recipe was inspired by Thomas Keller’s Potted Bing Cherries from the cookbook, Ad Hoc at Home.

Tomato Marmalade Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 8 4-5 oz Beefsteak Tomatoes (or 2 - 24 oz cans San Marzano Tomatoes)
• 1 Tbl Grape Seed Oil
• 2 ea Sweet Onions Vidalia
• ½ ea head Garlic
• ½ lb Bacon, Small Diced
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 ea Lemons, Zested and Juiced
• ½ bunch Fresh Thyme, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven 375 F
• Heat up a large oven proof pan on medium heat. Add oil and bacon and render bacon until lightly brown, but not crispy. Add onions and garlic and saute and until tender.
• Add brown sugar, red wine vinegar, along with tomatoes.
• Bring ingredients to a medium simmer and slowly reduce marmalade until nice and thick for about 1 ½ hours. Stir occasionally to make sure the sauce is not sticking.
• Once marmalade has reduced, remove pot from stove top to cool. Add lemon juice, zest, and thyme.
• Place into jars and cover, allow to cool then place in refrigerator up to 3-4 weeks.

As you can see the marmalade can be used with many dishes, like potato hash and eggs. We also recommended pairing with Roasted Pork Loin or Herb Roasted Chicken, Toasted Bread, Summer Squash, and Green Beans.