Kiki’s Spiced Habanero Peach Jam

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 pounds fresh peaches – peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and seeds scraped out
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 habanero peppers, stemmed and seeded
• 2 (3 ounce) pouches liquid pectin
• 5 cups white sugar
• 2 cups packed brown sugar

Directions

Put peaches in a Dutch oven or soup pot; stir in lemon juice, vanilla bean, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cardamom.

Place habanero peppers in a blender; top peppers with peach mixture. Blend until mostly smooth; transfer mixture back to the Dutch oven. Stir pectin into peach-habanero pepper mixture; bring to a full rolling boil. Quickly stir white sugar and brown sugar into mixture; return to a boil, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.

Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.

Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.

Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area, and wait 1 to 2 weeks before opening for best results.