Oven-roasted Peach Butter

Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• 3 lbs yellow peaches (freestone are easiest)
• 1 -2 cup granulated sugar (or as needed)
• 1 lemon, juice and zest of

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. cut the peaches in half and remove the pits. arrange them cut-side-down in a single layer in a non-reactive baking dish (glass or ceramic is best). roast for 30 minutes, or until the skins are loose. i usually allow 45 minutes, depending upon the size of the peaches.
• 2 remove the baking dish from the oven and let the peaches cool a bit so they are easier to handle, then remove and discard the peach skins. mash the peaches with a fork or potato masher. reduce the oven to 250 degrees and return the pan of mashed peaches to it. bake 2 to 3 hours longer, stirring often to prevent burning. any wateriness should be gone and they should be dark in color.
• 3 taste the puree and stir in 1 cup sugar. taste again and add more sugar to suit your taste, then stir in the lemon zest and juice.
• 4 store in the refrigerator or process filled half-pint jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes to make them shelf-stable.