Peach freezer jam is an easy way to preserve the most delicious fruit of summer. Mixed with vanilla beans, this simple fruit jam is delicious on biscuits or toast.
PREP TIME 15 minutesminutes
RESTING TIME 30 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 5 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 50 minutesminutes
YIELD 8jars of jam
Ingredients
3poundsof fresh peachespeeled and cut into large chunks (about 6 large peaches)
4 1/2cupsof sugar
2tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
1vanilla bean
1(1.75 oz) box SureJell instant pectin
Instructions
Peel the peaches, cut them into large pieces and add them to a large mixing bowl. Use a potato masher to crush the fruit. Whatever chunks of fruit you see are what will appear in your jam. If you like it chunky, just mash a little; if you want it smooth, go more heavy-handed with the masher.
Add the sugar and lemon juice to the bowl of peaches, stir to combine, and let sit for 10 minutes.
Transfer the peaches mixture to a large pot. Slice the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the peaches. Toss the bean pod in as well. You do not need to “cook” this mixture, you are just using some heat to draw out the vanilla flavoring from the bean. Simmer the mixture until it is warmed through and you can smell the vanilla.
Remove the vanilla pod and transfer the mixture back to your original mixing bowl. Allow to cool a bit (shouldn’t take long since the mixture shouldn’t be too hot.)
Add the box of pectin to the mixing bowl and stir with a spatula for 3 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as you stir.
Ladle the jam into 8 clean freezer jelly jars, leaving 1/2 inch room at the top of the container and let stand for 30 minutes.
At this point, you can freeze the jam or use it immediately. It’s good in the freezer for 1 year or in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.