Giveaway {Ball Canning Discovery Kit} | National Can-It-Forward Day + Peach Jam

There was a time when canning was something grandmothers did. Or at least I thought so.

Canning was about as foreign to me as black and white television.

But one day, about 10 years ago, I found myself with a sackful of homegrown plums. I knew exactly what to do with them: make jam.

And it was as though the world of canning, the art of preserving, was suddenly revealed to me…in technicolor.

Canning was one of those first kitchen projects that made me feel as though I had conquered something, like I deserved a notch on my kitchen apron belt. And you know what? It was easy.

I recently transformed some gorgeous summer peaches into this glistening Peach Jam. There’s nothing more rewarding than stirring a sweet pot of sticky fruit, or better yet, enjoying the taste of summer in the depths of winter. Of course, I couldn’t wait that long to try the jam. I had some the next morning on my pancakes.

Have a bite?

Truth be told, canning is the kind of thing I do maybe once or twice a year. To me, there is still a nostalgia when it comes to canning. But it is something I would like to do more often. As in my last post with making homemade Lemon Curd, there is nothing like making your own preserves. There is a whole world of canning – jellies and jams, conserves and chutneys, pickles and syrups! It really isn’t that complicated, so if by chance you have not dabbled in canning, I encourage you to give it a try.

The kind folks at Ball contacted me recently to see if I could spread the word about their effort with the nonprofit organization Canning Across America to host National Can-It-Forward Day on August 13. This Saturday will be the first celebration of its kind, where Canning Across America members will teach the basics of water bath canning and some of the most popular summer canning recipes. The day-long event is free and open to the public and will include several how-to canning demos that will be streaming live from Seattle’s Pike Place Market on the Ball brand website, FreshPreserving.com from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST. Viewers will be able to ask questions and post comments in real time.

The Ball brand website also contains exclusive offers for canners, and even a step-by-step guide on how to host your own home canning party.

To spread the canning love, Ball is giving away a Ball Canning Discovery Kit to one of you. I tried out the kit to make my Peach Jam, and I know you’ll love it. It has all the essentials needed to demystify the home canning process and make fresh preserving accessible for even the most novice canner.

Scroll down for Peach Jam recipe.

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How to Enter

This giveaway is officially closed. Thanks to all for entering!

Ready to try your hand at canning with a Ball Canning Discovery Kit? Here’s how to enter:

• Leave a comment on this post, and let me know: Do you can?
• For additional entries, pick one or all of the following (leave a separate comment for each bonus entry):
• Sign up for National Can-It-Forward Day and leave a comment here saying so.
• Like Ball Canning on Facebook and leave a comment here saying so.
• Like Canning Across America on Facebook and leave a comment here saying so.
• Entries/Comments accepted until 10 pm Pacific, Saturday, 13 August, 2011 (National Can-It-Forward Day!).
• One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email.
• This contest is open to US residents only, my apologies to my other international friends!

  

* Disclaimer: Ball will provide one winner with a Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit. I am not affiliated with Ball nor was I compensated for hosting the giveaway. All opinions are my own.

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Peach Jam

Makes 2 pints.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups peeled and diced peaches
• 4 1/2 tablespoons pectin
• 5 cups granulated sugar (3 cups if you want less sugar)
• 3 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon butter (optional), to reduce foaming

METHOD

Prepare waterbath canner, jars and lids according to manufacturer’s instructions, if preserving.

Combine peaches and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in Ball^®RealFruit™ Pectin. Add butter, if using. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

Add sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.

To preserve in a waterbath:

1. Ladle hot jelly/jam into hot jars, one at a time, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars. Apply bands and adjust to fingertip tight.

2. Place filled jars in canner, ensuring jars are covered by 1 to 2 inches of water. Place lid on canner. Bring water to gentle, steady boil.

3. Process jars for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat, remove lid and let jars stand for 5 minutes.

4. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed. Clean and store jars according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Recipe adapted using Ball Fresh Preserving Pectin Calculator.

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