Pickled Peaches
Before cranberries, imported from the Northeast, were available in North Carolina, pickled peaches were a staple on the Thanksgiving dinner table. In many places around the state, they still are.
Ingredients
- 8 pounds small or medium-sized prepared peaches
- 2 tablespoons whole cloves
- 4 two-inch pieces of stick cinnamon
- 2 pounds sugar (4.5 cups)
- 1 quart vinegar
- 1 pint water
Preparation
Wash and peel peaches. Put cloves and cinnamon loosely in a clean, thin white cloth and tie the top tightly. Cook together the spices, sugar, vinegar and water for ten minutes. Add the peaches. Cook slowly until tender, but not broken. Let sit overnight.
In the morning, remove the spices. Drain the syrup from the peaches and boil the syrup until thickened. Pack the peaches in hot sterilized jars. Pour hot syrup over the peaches, filling the jars to the top. Process 20 minutes in a boiling water bath.
Yield
Seven to eight pints
Source
This recipe was submitted by Paige Burns of Southern Pines who said it originally came from the chef at Crooks Corner in Chapel Hill.
We'd love to publish your favorite fresh peach recipe, too.
