Blanching fresh peaches is a perfect way to preserve their fresh flavor after harvest. Just blanch, peel and cut and slice them to store them in the freezer or in a jar.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Kitchen
Step 1. Fill a pot with water
Let it boil.
- The pot does not have to be large. You'll need to put in enough peaches to float them - about 4 per pot.
- Large pots with removable colander are ideal for this preparation.
Step 2. Prepare a bowl with ice
Fill a large bowl with water. Pour in some ice cubes.
Place the bowl near the hob
Step 3. Prepare space to peel and prepare the peaches
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Peaches
Step 1. Choose the peaches
Spanish peaches (with non-adherent stone) are less sweet than duraccine (with adherent stone), but it is easier to remove the stone.
- Spanish peaches are usually available from mid-June; while those duraccine starting from July.
- Peaches bought at the supermarket are likely to have ripened after harvest, while those bought from the greengrocer are likely to have ripened on the tree.
Step 2. Buy lots of peaches
It is better to blanch large quantities of the fruit.
Step 3. Wash the peaches
You won't need to scrub them because you don't have to peel them; however, by eliminating dirt and chemicals, the water you use to boil them will remain clean and can be reused for subsequent peaches.
Step 4. Cut an "x" on the base of each peach with a sharp knife
Two lines intersected in the length of the peach allow for expansion during blanching. Also, it will be easier to peel the peaches later.
Part 3 of 3: Blanching the Peaches
Step 1. Put 4 whole peaches in boiling water
Stand by the fire and prepare a pitted spoon.
Step 2. Calculate the cooking time based on the ripeness of the fruit
Following, some guidelines:
- For very ripe peaches, calculate 45 seconds.
- For ripe peaches, calculate 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
- For fairly ripe peaches, allow 2 minutes.
- For harder peaches, allow 3 minutes.
Step 3. Remove the peaches with the spoon
Immediately put them in the bowl with ice.
Step 4. Leave them in the bowl with ice for 2 minutes
They should still be slightly warm to peel them easily.
Step 5. Remove them from the ice bowl and peel them
Put the knife under the peel next to the "x" and peel. Repeat with each corner of the "x".br>
Step 6. Cut the peaches in half
Remove the stone and cut into thin slices.
Step 7. Repeat the process for all peaches
Step 8. Finished
Advice
- After cutting the peaches into slices, mix them with lemon juice. The acid will prevent the fruits from oxidizing. Mix them again with sugar and let them rest for half an hour if you want to use them to prepare cakes or other desserts.
- Freeze them in plastic bags or put them in a jar.
- Ask someone to help you in the kitchen; with two people the process will be more fun and faster.