Wanted: how to peel and recipes for wild peaches

[ozark hen]

I have a wild peach tree in my front yard. The peaches are about the size of a ping pong ball. They are ripening now and are somewhat sweet. Not very soft but have a little give when you gently squeeze them. I love the taste of them but don't relish hand peeling each little peach. Can I boil them for about 30 seconds and the plunge them into ice water like you do tomatoes to peel them? If so does anyone have a simple recipe for making peach preserves or the like? Thanks in advance.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Absolutely you can peel them the same way as apples! That's exactly how to do it.

There are tons of recipes online for peach preserves. If you want to make it with pectin, just use the recipe that comes in the box.

This year I made vanilla peach jam, peach salsa, and spiced peaches.

 

[sweetcorn]

You can blanche peaches in boiling water to peel them but it takes a little longer than tomatoes , 2 - 3 minutes , skin will change color when ready to peel.

 

[ozark hen]

Thank you! No way did I want to peel these little things like apples.

I was hoping they could be peeled like tomatoes. That vanilla-peach jam sounds wonderful. I love vanilla anything. LOL Haven't I read somewhere that peaches have a natural pectin? Now I don't have a clue here as I have never canned or anything and I really want to do so.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Pectin comes from apples, so you can use apples instead of pectin if you want. It takes longer to get the jam think but it saves you the $2 from puying pectin, too!

My fav book for home canning is this one. It's got info on jams with and without pectin. It's got fantastic recipes, many of which I've made. Yum yum yum.

 

[ozark hen]

thanks for the pectin info! Your jars look better than the ones on the cover of that canning book. I can't wait to begin canning. Might not get really into it until next year now. ha

 

[mermaid73]

Do not peel the wild peaches as that is where all the colour is. Just cut in half take out the seed and rinse and into the pot.Lots of recipes on the net. I mostly make jam but have stewed them and am about to make some relish or similar. Hope this helps.

 

[Jackschicks]

My Granny's recipe for pickled peaches (really good with ham or pork chops or a beautiful garnish for the Christmas turkey). She made them with these little wild peaches that grew on the farm in Oklahoma that they called "Indian" peaches. She did not always peel the peaches, sometimes she left the peel on.

Pickled Peaches

Plunge 6 lbs peaches into a kettle of boiling water for 1 minute, drain & peel, and insert 2 cloves in each peach. In an enamel kettle combine 6 cups sugar, 2 cups cider vinegar and 3 cinnamon sticks. Bring the liquid to a boil over moderate heat stirring constantly. Add the peaches, turn the heat down and simmer for 5 minutes or until peaches are just tender then transfer them with a slotted spoon to 3 sterilized 1 quart Mason jars, packing them tight. Put 1 cinnamon stick in each jar, pour the hot syrup over the peaches. Leave 1/2 inch head space, wipe rims, adjust lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes. Makes 3 quarts.

Lacking canning equipment, you could just store the jars in the frig.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I will post the recipe for Peach Butter that I used. I made a couple of variations - I added brandy to some and Southern Comfort to others. The Southern Comfort ones were our favorite - we call it Peach Comfort and it is delish on ice cream.