Recipe(tried): Pickled Peaches for Betty

Hi Betty:-) I can hardly believe that I found this recipe. When we lived in Oregon (!972 - 1976), I sent for this recipe booklet from The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Making Pickles and Relishes At Home, Home and Garden Bulletin No. 92. I remember making these since it was impossible to find "spiced peaches" when we lived there. They are quite a Southern thing. I can't find them here in MA either, but I always try to bring some home when we vacation on Hilton Head Island, SC. I actually think I cut this recipe in half. Anyway, here goes.

Pickled Peaches

3 quarts sugar
2 quarts vinegar
7, 2 inch pieces Stick cinnamon
2 Tbl. whole Cloves
16 lbs. (about 11 quarts) peaches, small or medium size

Combine sugar, vinegar, stick cinnamon and cloves. (Cloves may be put in clean cheesecloth, tied with a string, and removed after cooking, if not desired in the packed product.) Bring to a boil and let simmer covered, about 30 minutes.

Wash peaches and remove skins; dipping fruit in boiling water for 1 minute, then quickly in cold water makes peeling easier. To prevent pared peaches from darkening during preparation, immediately put them into cold water containing 2 Tbl. each of salt and vinegar per gallon. Drain just before using.

Add peaches to boiling syrup. enough for 2 or 3 quarts at a time, and heat for about 5 minutes. Pack hot peaches into clean, hot jars. Continue heating in syrup and packing peaches into jars. Add 1 piece of stick cinnamon and 2 to 3 whole cloves (if desired) to each jar. Cover peaches with boiling syrup to 1/2 inch of top of jar. Adjust jar lids.

Process in boiling water for 20 minutes* (start to count processing time after water in canner returns to boiling). Remove jars and complete seals if necessary. Set jars upright, several inches apart, on a wire rack to cool.

Processing time is given for altitudes less than 1,000 feet above sea level. For altitudes of 1,00 ft. or above, see table below.

Altitude (in feet) and increase in processing time (in minutes)

1,000 1 minute
2,000 2 "
3,000 3 "
4,000 4 "
5,000 5 "
6,000 6 "
7,000 7 "
8,000 8 "
9,000 9 "
10,000 10 "

I hope that you enjoy these. As I recall, they were really good:-)