Apricot quick pick & jam

I have been salivating over the over-loaded apricot trees along the road at Eleven Acres, an orchard about a half mile up the road that we pass every time we leave the house. I was waiting for “Apricots” to be added to their list of fruits available to be picked, but it never was, even though I noticed someone picking yesterday. So I stopped over there today and grabbed a bucket and headed over to the apricot rows.

I understand why they didn’t list apricots - there are tons of them, but they are pretty teeny. However, that did not dissuade me. I picked a bucket’s worth and then made up a few quick jars of refrigerator jam.

Add it to my collection of orchard selfies.

I cooked down the halved peaches with some sugar and a little Gran Marnier liquor. The whole process takes around 10 minutes.

These are Weck jars, a German type of canning jars. The lids are glass, and a rubber seal is held in place by two metal clips. I use larger Wecks as our drinking glasses, because they are heavy with thick rims and come in large sizes. These are little (very cute) sizes that are perfect for individual desserts. And for a few jars of jam!

If you have ever made jam you will recognize this scene - dollop of jam dropped on a frozen plate to confirm proper consistency! You can water bath can the Weck jars for shelf stability, but since these are three pretty small jars, I will just keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay for long enough for them to be gobbled up.