Here's the deal with accepting a lovely box of peaches, gratis: You've got to put 'em up quick like!
Late last week, I got an e-mail from the leader of Canning Across America, asking if I wanted in on a special delivery: some tree-ripened gems from the Washington State Fruit Commission. Yes, please!
Those beautiful Eastern Washington peaches were the size of softballs. But when I got them home, they were on the firm side. Hmm. What gives?
James Michael, a spokesman for the commission, fleshed things out: "Peaches are a climacteric fruit, meaning they can be harvested when physiologically mature but still firm. They will continue to ripen through respiration after picking. A harvested peach isn't done just because it's off the tree, but attention to handling is extremely important in this phase. Fruit that remains uncooled can deteriorate more in an hour at 90 degrees than all day (24 hours) at 40 degrees... Fruit that's forever maintained at ambient temperature will peak much sooner than cooled fruit, often delivering optimal eating quality in 2-3 days post harvest."
Sure enough, two days later, those peaches were so ready. I needed to rock 'n' roll right away. Good thing I had a dozen Ball pint jars ready to go, and a plan. I was going to make jam as well as brandied peaches, both pretty simple, straightforward recipes. But what a mess!
I am so terrible at cleaning as I go, too focused on getting to the finish line. Which makes for a hot, sticky aftermath. And that's why I prefer doing small-batch canning. But this was a special circumstance because this fruit couldn't wait another day.
Four batches later, I had a whole bunch of beautiful jars cooling on the counter. It took me nearly an hour to deal with the pots and pans and spilled sugar. But, later, when I dished up some of those brandied peaches... kissed by a hint of vanilla, it was so worth it!
-- Leslie Kelly
While we chill, musicians put the "labor" in Labor Day this weekend Ah, Labor Day weekend: Time for us to chill and ... however, well, they'll be putting the "labor" in Labor Day. ... Whatever you get into, have a great weekend! If you need ... Putting Laborers Back Into Labor Day - 2012 WBI Putting Laborers Back Into Labor Day 2012. Throughout the years we at the WBI have covered Labor ... I will be spending the labour day weekend with family and friendsa ... Labor Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Labor Day is an American federal ... legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; Cleveland signed it into ... free to shop, Labor Day has become an important sale weekend ... Labor Day weekend - Put in Bay Forum - TripAdvisor On TripAdvisor's Put in Bay travel forum, travelers are asking questions and offering advice on topics like "Labor Day weekend". Put the Labor Back into Labor Day with Helen Keller and the Songs ... Put the Labor Back into Labor Day with Helen Keller and the Songs of the Wobblies (I.W.W.) ... Labor Day Weekend Events in Shawano, Wisconsin This coming Labor Day, observed ... Thinking of trip to Put in Bay over Labor Day weekend - Put in Bay ... Put in Bay Forum: Thinking of trip to Put in Bay over Labor Day weekend ... agree with the other post about everyone packing everything into ... U.S. DOL - The History of Labor Day Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is ... The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the ... Iron Range labor talks head into Labor Day weekend Minnesota ... Iron Range labor talks head into Labor Day weekend; CEOs say health merger means lower cost, better care; Lawyer: Brodkorb doesn't agree to narrow lawsuit Putting the Labor Back Into Labor Day: Did You Get a Rejuvenating ... Putting the Labor Back Into Labor Day: Did You Get a Rejuvenating Summer Vacation or Did ... Day weekend not too long ago, and here we are at Labor Day weekend ... NHLPA expected to make counterproposal Friday, parties could work ... NHLPA expected to make counterproposal Friday, parties could work into Labor Day weekend to ... Athletes are always putting themselves and their bodies on the line in the ...
No comments:
Post a Comment