Recipe: Peach Butter

PEACH BUTTER

4 lbs. peaches (or 8 cups puree)
1/2 cup water
3 Tbsp. bottled lemon juice
4 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

Clean & pit peaches, peel and dice. Put peaches, water, and lemon juice in saucepan and cook 15 to 20 minutes until soft. Remove peaches and puree in food mill or food processor. Put puree in heavy pan and add sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring, until all sugar is dissolved. When sugar is dissolved put mixture into a roasting pan. Put in 300 F oven and cook until thick and clear, about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Stir often or it will burn on the sides and bottom. The butter is done when a sample spoonful is put on a plate and no rim of liquid shows. When done, ladle into hot jars, wipe rims and seal. Process in water bath canner for 10 minutes. Makes 5 to 6 half-pints.