Peachy Pear Jam

This is one of my favorite recipes from childhood, and the very first thing I canned on my own! It’s still the one thing I have to can every year. The bright summery taste of fresh peaches and fresh pears is amazing on toast, bagels, or biscuits on a snowy January morning (and all year round!). It is also awesome on vanilla ice cream and for a glaze on chicken and pork. The recipe is originally from my mom’s Ball Blue Book from the 1970s .

Peachy Pear Jam

makes about 60 oz

ingredients:

• 2 cups mashed fresh peaches (about 5 good-sized peaches)
• 2 cups mashed fresh pears (about 5 good-sized pears)
• 6 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 pouch liquid pectin

Preparing your jars

First, sterilize your canning jars. This recipe will make about 60 ounces of jam. To sterilize jars, wash them in hot, soapy water. Then place your jars in your water bath canner, completely covered with water. Bring to a full boil. Once the water begins boiling, cover and let the jars boil for 15 minutes. Remove jars and place inverted on a towel until ready to use.

Place your canning lids in a small pot and let simmer for at least 10 minutes to activate the seal while you are working.

Making the Jam

1) Peel, cut, & mash the peaches & pears. Lightly strain to remove some of the excess juice

2) Combine mashed fruit, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, & nutmeg in a large pot. Place over high heat and bring to a full, rolling boil

3) Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly

4) Remove from heat & stir in pectin. If needed skim any cloudy foam that floats to the top.

5) Ladle into sterilized hot jars to within 1/8 inch of rim. Wipe rim, adjust lids, & tighten ring.

6) Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes (water should be at least 1 inch over the tops of the jars).

7) Let your jam set up overnight, and check the lids are sealed properly. Enjoy!