Peach Jam

One thing I love about summer is that there are so many delicious fruits on sale! Seriously... $1/lb for peaches?? you betcha, I went and got 5lbs of peaches! 5lbs of fruit yielded 10 1/2pt jars of jam.  This has got to be the cheapest batch of jam I have made.

What you need:

• 4.5lbs of peaches; peeled & chopped
• 1/4cup lemon juice (bottled or fresh)
• 4.5cup sugar; divided
• 1 box Surejel No Sugar Needed Pectin
• 10 Sterilized jars and lids/bads

Directions:

1. Sterilize your jars.  I run mine through the dish washer and heat dry. Place the lids in a pot of hot water. 
2. Mush up your chopped peaches; you should have 6cups of mushed fruit when you are done.  
3. Mix in 1/4cup lemon juice making sure the fruit is well coated.  This will prevent the fruit from browning.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the pectin with 1/4cup of sugar.  This will prevent the pectin from clumping. 
5. Place the fruit mixture in a large pot.  Stir in the pectin mixture.
6. Cook over medium-high heat until it reaches a full/rolling boil (one that can not be stirred away)
7. Once the mixture has reached a full boil, mix in the remaining sugar.
8. Return the mixture to a full/rolling boil. 
9. Ladle the jam into the jars, leaving 1/4" of headspace.  Place the lid on top and tighten the band.
10. Process the jars in a hot water bath for 10minutes.
11. After the jars have been sterilized in the hot water bath, place them in a draft free area to cool for at least 24hrs. 

Today is my last day of funemploment.  After 6 long (but fun!) months, I am finally going back to work :) Hopefully I will still have time to craft, make jam, quilt, etc.