Just Peachy

The canning season is upon us!  This past weekend I could not resist a box of local peaches and decided to venture into the world of Peach Jam.  I just started canning 2 years ago, but I do love the process of putting up fresh produce from the garden or farmers market.  Don’t be overwhelmed by canning.  It is very easy and with some reading and small investments you can be putting up fresh food in your home! 

My favorite canning books for the novice canner are:
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Tart and Sweet: 101 Canning and Pickling Recipes for the Modern Kitchen
Homemade Living: Canning and Preserving with Ashley English
Food in Jars

Great Equipment to start your Canning Kitchen:
Water Bath Canner with Rack…you can also use any really big stock pot
Ball Canning Utensil Set
Ball Mason Jars

It is funny to me how canning is the new “cool” thing to do.  I was walking through my local Target the other day, and they now have a full display of canning supplies and canning type decorations.  Just two years ago when I was starting out I had to scour my local stores to find any sort of supplies. 

The Peach Jam recipe that I tried was from one of my favorite blogs, Food in Jars.  The cookbook, named after the blog, is amazing and I cannot wait to try many of the amazing recipes.  This recipe was very easy and the results were delicious.  Marisa also includes many slow-cooker jam recipes that I am anxious to try.


The whole process took about an hour…just enough time before the little one woke up from his nap.  I love Peach Jam not only on toast, but also mixed into Ice Cream, Yogurt, or a topping on Chicken or Pork.  There is nothing like the fresh taste of summer peaches in the dead of winter.

Canning items make wonderful gifts for friends, teachers, or even the holidays.  You don’t have to have a huge garden to can items.  A simple trip to the farmers market gives you a large variety of produce to choose from.  It is easier then you think and I valuable skill to know how to do.  My next venture will be into the world of pressure canning.  I am currently swooning over the American Pressure Cooker/Canner.  It is a little pricey so I am saving up!  With this beauty I can put up soups, meats…the list is endless.  My birthday is around the corner, so maybe I should start dropping hints now….

What is your favorite item to Put Up?