What to do with all these peaches!?

We bought this farm in '06 and discovered a peach tree behind one of the sheds. The first year there weren't many peaches, they fell to the ground.... we ate a few and that was that.

Last year due to a late freeze that killed off all the blooms we did not get ANY peaches.
This year the tree is making up for it and has peaches EVERYWHERE!

The tree has broken from their weight in several places...I'll need to address that issue, but WHAT can I do with all these peaches? I have NEVER canned in my life and am kinda not really sure I can do it under my "kitchens" conditions (we are living in and rehabbing an old farm house, I have no stove, just a hotplate, a microwave and a utility sink.)

Besides give them to everyone I know and make peach cobbler ala mode to infinity, any other peach recipes anyone can share with me?

Methods to freeze? Can I freeze them fresh or would I have to cook them in some way first?

Poor peach tree:

Peach butter-like apple butter, no butter in it. Peach preserves, peach juice, or if none of the above, send them to me

I freeze using this method:

Boil pot of water. Put peaches in for about 1 minute. Take peach out and put into ice water (or at least cool water). Wait a couple of minutes for peach to cool. Slip skin off - if the water is boiling and the peaches are ripe, usually the skin comes off pretty easily.

Slice peeled peach into chunks, put in freezer baggie. Repeat. Sprinkle in some sugar if you wish. Suck air out using a straw when baggie is full. Freeze.

I use them for peach crumble, peach pie, peach jam, smoothies, etc. If you want to use them for pie, let them thaw and pour off the liquid from the thawing, or at least boil it down, since it will make the pastry too wet if you leave it all in there.

Generally I boil about 6 or 8 peaches at a time, transfer them into the bowl of ice water, skin, chop, freeze. I am not sure based on your current kitchen setup if you can do that many, but do what you can in the largest pan of water that you can keep boiling. If you can only boil in the microwave, boil, sit peaches in water for maybe 1 minute 30 seconds (you might have to test run) and then reboil water as it starts to cool. Use a slotted spoon to get peaches out, if you have one.

This is easiest to do with someone else. One of you boils, extracts peaches, the other one skins and chops. It goes faster that way.

Claire

Add some citric acid or lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown.

I'd love to have some more peaches!! Yum.

As for preventing the tree from breaking in the future, the orchard owners in WA State prop up the heavy branches with 2x4s.

Quote:
There are already two posts holding up part of this tree. One we added this year and one was there when we bought the place.

If y'all were closer I would have peaches on your doorstep!

Oh dear... that poor tree! I didn't see the posts!

They are beautiful!! Do you have neighbors you might sell / give them too?

I'd say I'd buy some off ya but I wonder what the shipping cost would be??

I actually freeze mine fresh (without dipping them in the hot water). I just peel them which may take a little more time but I actually prefer that to the pans of water for dipping. If you can get hold of a dehydrator, you could dry some too.

Although pickled peaches are easy to buy, why deprive yourself of the chance of making your own.
for any
10 servings
Time to prepare: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Average

Ingredients
8 lbs. peaches
5 lbs. sugar
1 quart vinegar
2 Tbs. each whole cloves and whole allspice
1 stick cinnamon
Directions
Pick only fresh peaches of good quality.

Combine sugar, vinegar and the spices tied in cheesecloth (for easy removal) in a large pot. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes over medium heat until syrupy.

Meanwhile, peel peaches. Leave whole or halve and pit. Immediately drop into the hot syrup. Cook 5 minutes or until tender. Remove spice bag.

Stud peaches with cloves. Pack into hot, sterilized jars, adding syrup to wintin 1/2-inch of top. Seal jars.

How about the senior center or the woman's abuse center, both should take any you can't use, esp the seniors as many live on fixed incomes and peaches may be something above their allowance for food. marrie