I just ordered pounds of peaches. I was feeling domestic and now have no clue what to do with them. I would love to have my fellows Monkeys advice on what they would do with 20 pounds of peaches. I do not have a dehydrator. I had one of those 80's round ones and it was a horrible waste of produce.I could try the oven. I also thought of canning them plain, peach salsa, chutney. Or I could freeze. I am asking for monkey wisdom of successful putting away of peaches. I get my shipment in next Saturday.
We just canned around 60 lbs today. Plain, straight, skinned and sliced. We still have probably 20 lbs and we're thinking of making some peach salsa. We've already frozen a gallon and two quart ziplock bags. Amazed at how well we did (yeah, I know, don't dislocate my shoulder patting myself on the back). Of the quarts, one that I thought hadn't sealed has, in fact sealed (it was just too warm). One pint for sure didn't but I'm amazed at how simple and easy it was. Easy does NOT mean it wasn't work, btw. I too am open to suggestions.
Easiest is to skin them, slice, stir with sugar (or Stevia), then put in vacuum bags (don't apply vacuum yet!) and let freeze overnight. The following day, go ahead and vacuum seal the bags with peaches nicely frozen. 2nd easiest is to pickle them and can in boiling water canner. Pressure canning is great if you have a nice pressure canner. Kajun
As a kid we would wash the tin on top of the wood shed and place sliced fruit there for drying. We covered it with a sheet to keep flies off and turned about mid afternoon. Usually a day would do it--no cost for a dryer. Some folks use their cars as a dryer-120-140 degrees. Just a piece of cardboard or plywood to lay it on and poof--dried fruit.
I have read about the car thing and actually have some screens for trying this. Maybe it will be sunny next weekend. I really want an Excalibur dehydrator but when I read posts like your I think why waste the money- the sun is free.
@Motomom34 remember the odor this will add to your car. Expect it. It might stain something with juice as well, or just draw ants into your car. Building a simple hot box works well, and can also be used to start seedlings. (If you have the room for it)
I didn't think of it that way. I did think that I would have to take the air freshener out of the car but not the other way around.
Sorry, yes, we used a simple syrup after dipping in lemon water. I meant we didn't pickle them or do anything fancy. Just a simple, light syrup.
I pick up my peaches today. We had a discussion on what to do with them. The family likes all options but no decisions were made on how to preserve them. I may just do a bit of all methods and see what is the best.
That just got my attention. 2 birds with one stone kinda thing there. Peaches for eating, peach flavored maple syrup for eating pancakes !
It is peach season and time to start putting them away. I have 20 lbs coming next weekend so I am reviving this thread to see if anyone is doing peaches this year and what they are doing. Last year I put some away and I think I over blanched them. We did have a freezer issue (died) but I didn't think they would be affected. I found this how-to How to Freeze Peaches Though this site says use within 8-10 months though I have seen other sites that say the peaches last up to 18 months.
Hmm sounds like Peach Brandy time...Directions Use only fully ripened, unblemished fruit. Wash and remove pits. Chop and mash fruit. Place in a plastic container or large glass bottle. Dissolve sugar in the vodka or brandy. Pour over the fruit. Cover and let sit in a cool dark place for 4 to 6 months. Strain out the fruit and bottle. Place fruit over ice cream serve flambé while you enjoy your brandy...
I found a site on freezing peaches straight from the tree. Easy Peaches Freezing Tip I did peaches and plums, but cut them in half and removed the pit. Easy and tasty. The texture is definitely not like a fresh peach, but the taste sure is. Kajun
In the middle of making peach ice cream now. Just put it in the fridge to cool before putting it into the freezer churner thing.
We're only 10 quarts into the 24 we canned last year. My wife wants nothing to do with peaches this year.
So last years 80 lbs of peaches may have been a bit much. How is your peach salsa? That is what I would like to try. I want to freeze half of the 20 lbs I have coming but I really like fruit salsa. @DarkLight feel free to share a recipe if you like.