Nectarine Preserves With Basil Food

LOW-SUGAR NECTARINE PRESERVES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Wash and dice nectarines, discarding pits. Add to a heavy, non-reactive pot. Add a small amount of water to the bottom, and place pot over medium-high heat.
• Bring to a boil, stirring to prevent scorching. The fruit will give off quite a bit of liquid. Boil for a few minutes, until fruit begins to look translucent. Add sugar, and stir to blend completely.
• Return to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until jam reaches the set point. Add lemon juice and stir to combine.
• Pack jam into clean half-pint jars. Seal and process for 10 minutes in a water bath canner.

NECTARINE JAM

Steps:

• Inspect 5 half-pint jars for cracks and rings for rust; discard any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Measure finely chopped, peeled nectarines; you should have 4 1/2 cups. Add to a heavy pot and immediately mix with lemon juice so they don't turn brown.
• Combine 1/4 cup sugar and fruit pectin in a bowl. Add to nectarines in the pot and stir well. Slowly bring mixture to a full rolling boil that does not stop bubbling when stirred. Add remaining 2 3/4 cups sugar and stir to dissolve, making sure to scrape over the bottom of the pot. Boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and stir in almond extract.
• Pack nectarine jam into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

CANNING NECTARINES IN LIGHT SYRUP

Steps:

• Cut each nectarine in half, remove pit, and then cut each quarter into three pieces.
• To keep the fruit from darkening, place the slices in water containing lemon juice, ascorbic acid (3 grams ascorbic acid to 1 gallon of cold water), or vinegar. Drain.
• Add ¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger, plus 1 tablespoon blueberries to the bottom of each jar.
• Pack nectarine slices into pint jars, leaving ½ an inch of headspace from the top of the jar.
• Boil 4 cups of water and add ¾ cup honey to make light honey syrup.
• Cover the nectarines and spices with boiling light honey syrup, keeping the ½ inch headspace.
• Swipe a butter knife or spatula around the outside of the jars to release air bubbles. Cap the jars.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or process as directed below.
• Be sure to leave at least ¼" headspace. Wipe rims clean and place lids and rings onto jars finger-tight.
• Process jars in a water bath canner for 25 minutes per pint or 30 minutes per quart using a raw pack method.
• After processing, remove jars from canner and allow to cool on a towel for 24 hours. Before storing, check for seal. Store sealed jars in the pantry. Opened or unsealed jars of canned nectarines should be kept in the refrigerator.

GREEK NECTARINE PRESERVES

Steps:

• Peel and seed nectarines; cut into chunks.
• Boil in water until soft; add sugar; stir and watch to prevent burning.
• Cook 30 minutes.
• Last 5 minutes add brandy, vanilla, and lemon juice
• Pour in hot sterile jars;seal.

SMALL BATCH NECTARINE JAM - CONSERVE METHOD

Steps:

• The sugar is 80% weight of fruit (about 4 large nectarines)
• Cut up and remove the stones from the nectarines and place in a bowl. Cover with the sugar, add the lemon juice, stir, Cover. Leave overnight
• Pour into a medium saucepan - gently heat until the sugar has dissolved. Lightly mash with a potato masher to break the fruit up.
• Place jam jars and lids in the oven at 135°C/Gas mark 1
• Bring to a rolling, but not rapid boil until setting point is reached. 105°C or spoon from the freezer sets and wrinkles on the top when poked.
• Allow to stand for a few minutes. Pour into hot jars - seal and allow to cool.

PEACH PRESERVES

Steps:

• Crush 1 cup chopped peaches in the bottom of a large saucepan. Add remaining peaches, and set pan over medium-low heat. Bring to a low boil, and cook for about 20 minutes or until peaches become liquid (my family likes a few bits of peach left) .
• Pour peaches into a bowl, and then measure 6 cups back into the pan. Add sugar, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Gradually stir in dry pectin, and boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat after 1 minute, and transfer to sterilized jars. Process in hot water bath canner for 10 minutes. Let cool, and place on shelf.

NECTARINE JAM

Steps:

• Cook all ingredients at a very mild boil for 30-minutes.
• *At this point you can add optional spices of your choice such as 1 teaspoons cinnamon, almond extract, or ground ginger, or 1 tblsp. brandy extract; or any favorite combination. Cook for 5 minutes more.
• Skim foam off surface.
• Ladle into sterilized jars.
• Process in boiling water bath for 10-mins.