Fresh peaches are delicious eaten on their own, sliced over cereals and ice cream or made into pies and cobblers. You can enjoy their sweet flavor year-round by making jam during the summer peach season. This recipe makes 7 cups or 7 (8-oz.) jar

Step 1

Wash jars in hot soapy water and rinse. Place them on a rack in the sink and pour boiling water in and over each jar. Drain. Keep the jars hot by transferring them to a cookie tray and placing it in a 200-degree F oven.
Step 2

Prepare the lids by placing them in a saucepan of gently boiling water.
Step 3

Place the peaches in a colander and rinse them under cool running water. Cut the peaches in half, then remove and discard the pits. Place the fruit in a food processor and process for 35 to 45 seconds until it is quite smooth.
Step 4

Measure the crushed peaches into a 6- or 8-qt. pot. Stir sugar and lemon juice into the fruit and mix well. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
Step 5

Add fruit pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
Step 6

Remove the jam from the heat and skim off and discard any foam using a metal spoon. Ladle the jam into a liquid measuring cup and fill the jars immediately to within 1/8 inch of the tops.
Step 7

Wipe the jar rims and threads with a clean, damp cloth.
Step 8

Remove the jar lids from boiling water using tongs and place them on a paper towel. Wipe them dry.
Step 9

Place the lids on the jars and screw them on tightly. Invert the jars for 5 minutes, then turn them upright.
Step 10

Check the seals after 1 hour to make sure the lids are curving down.

Naples Greenola