Pickled peaches are an old Southern favorite. They’re great added to salads or served as an accompaniment with grilled meats or a Sunday supper pork roast. INGREDIENTS: 4 cups sugar 1 cup white vinegar 1 cup water 15 whole cloves 4 – 4 1/2 pounds fresh peaches, blanched and peeled, cut in half and pitted...Read More

This recipe was given to me many years ago by an elderly farmer’s wife and has been one of my ‘must-do’ yearly canning recipes. If you have a large number of beets, just keep repeating brine until your beets are all gone! Enjoy!” — SHARON HOWARD INGREDIENTS: 10 lbs. fresh small beets, stems removed 2...Read More

Tangy pickled beets are always a welcome treat with a meal or served on a salad. INGREDIENTS: 8 medium fresh beets 1 cup vinegar 1/2 cup sugar 1-1/2 teaspoons whole cloves 1-1/2 teaspoons whole allspice 1/2 teaspoon salt METHOD: Scrub beets and trim tops to 1 inch. Place beets in a large saucepan. Add water...Read More

Why freezer jam? The fresh peach taste, of course! Cooked preserves and jams have a place in the pantry, but you’ll truly notice the difference in taste when you spread a dollop of this jam on your biscuit or toast. INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. ripe peaches (enough to make 3 cups of mashed peaches) 4 1/2...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 4 cups fresh blueberries 3 cups fresh strawberries 2 cups fresh raspberries 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice 2 packages (1.75 ounces each) dry fruit pectin (like Sure Jell) 7 cups sugar METHOD: Sterilize jars and lids for canning; keep hot. Heat water bath. In a large saucepan, combine berries and lemon juice. Crush berries...Read More

These delicate shimmering jellies are delicious condiments. Their sweet and savory flavors really sing of summer with jewel-toned colors that are appetizing and beautiful. Herb jellies are wonderful with cream cheese and crackers or bagels. Use the lighter flavors to glaze pies, tarts, and cookies. For main dishes, melt them in a sauce pan and...Read More

I like to make berry-infused vinegar to use as part of marinades, sauces, and or salad dressings. When using them in a dressing, I tend to either use them to contrast with sharper, bitter leaves such as escarole, dandelion, rocket, and the like, or I pair them with more delicate lettuces and then add some...Read More

Use your choice of ripe raspberries, blackberries, Boysenberries, or ollalieberries for this easy jam. INGREDIENTS: 3 cups crushed berries (about 1 1/2 quarts of berries) 5 cups sugar 1 package powdered pectin (Sure Jell) 1 cup cold water METHOD: Sort and wash fully ripe fruit. Drain. Remove caps and stems from berries and crush. Measure...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 4 cups ripe peaches, peeled and finely chopped 1 whole red pepper, finely chopped 1/2 cup green pepper, finely chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1 box dry fruit pectin (Sure-Jell) 5 cups sugar METHOD: In a large pot, combine peaches, peppers, lemon rind, cider...Read More

These preserves contain no pectin. The fruit flavor is a bit more caramelized and ‘cooked’ vs. preserves cooked quickly with pectin. INGREDIENTS: 5 pounds ripe peaches, chopped 4 cups sugar 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice METHOD: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Cut an X...Read More