recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-07-28
From: recipelink.com

Vanilla Bean-Peach Jam
From: dallasga
Newsgroup: rec.food.preserving
Date: 7-22-99

This is a jam that my mom loves and I give to folks as a gift.
Makes 6 half-pints

5 1/2 cups sugar
1 or 2 Vanilla Beans, cut in half lengthwise (or 1 tsp. extract)
2 to 2 1/2 lb. fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped (4 cups) I find putting the peaches it boiling hot water helps in peeling the peaches. Put them in till the skin turns color just a few seconds then let cool down before peeling.
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 1 3/4 oz package powdered fruit pectin

In a large bowl combine sugar and vanilla bean(s) and cover and sit for 48 hours on counter, stirring occasionally. In a heavy sauce pan combine peaches, lemon juice, and pectin. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes or until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Stir in sugar and vanilla.

Return to a full boil. Boil hard, uncovered, for 1 min, stirring constantly. Remove vanilla bean, and skim off foam. Ladle into sterilized half-pint jars leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims, adjust lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.