Perking Up Peaches

Pickled Peaches

Ingredients:

two 29-oz. cans of peach halves
1 cup peach syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup apple-cider vinegar
1 whole (2 inches) cinnamon stick
1/3 oz. whole cloves

Preparation:

Pour peach syrup through a strainer (to remove any particles) and measure out one cup. Combine syrup with sugar, vinegar and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat to a simmer.

While syrup is heating, add cloves to peaches. Push four cloves into each peach until they are secure. Pour the peaches into the liquid and simmer for about four minutes.

Cool, then pack in an airtight container. Serve as a side dish with roast pork and turkey.

Chutneys can be hot or mild, smooth or spicy. This version is slightly chunky.

Ingredients:

2 large garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (Use a jalapeno pepper instead, if you prefer.)
1 cup golden brown sugar, packed tightly
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbs. orange juice
one 20-oz. can peach halves, diced

Preparation:

Combine garlic, pepper, sugar, vinegar and juice in a saucepan and simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid is thick. Add diced peaches and simmer for another 20 minutes. Pack into a non-aluminum container. This recipe will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator. Serve with crackers.