Pickled Nectarines Recipe

It's time for pickled fruit to stage a revival. These pickled nectarines are easy to make and are fantastic on a cheese plate or added to a green salad. Add a few jars to your pantry today!

In a Pickle: Pickled Nectarine Slices

Active: 45 mins

Total: 48 hrs

Makes: 3 pint jars

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6 nectarines (approximately 2 1/2 pounds)
2 cups white vinegar
3/4 granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pickling salt
3 star anise
1 cinnamon stick, broken into thirds
1 bay leaf, broken into thirds
3/4 teaspoon black peppercorns, divided
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, divided

If using, prepare a boiling water bath canner and place three lids in a small saucepan at a bare simmer.
Prepare three regular mouth jars.
Wash nectarines and slice into 12 wedges per piece of fruit.
Combine 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups water, 3/4 cup granulated white sugar and 2 teaspoons pickling salt.
As the brine comes to a boil, divide the spices evenly between the three jars.
Once brine is boiling, add fruit to the pot.
Stir to help settle the fruit into the brine.
Once the fruit has relaxed into the brine and the brine is boiling, remove pot from heat.
Carefully ladle the fruit into the jars, using a wooden chopstick to help the nectarine slices settle into place.
Pour brine over fruit to cover.
Tap jars gently to help dislodge any air bubbles that may be trapped between the nectarine slices. Use your wooden chopstick to finish the job.
Wipe rims and apply lids and rings.
If processing for shelf stability, carefully lower jars into boiling water bath and process for 10 minutes.
When time is up, remove jars from canner and let cool.
Once processed jars are cool, remove rings, check seals and wash jars to remove any stickiness.
Unprocessed jars should also be washed once cool and then stored in the refrigerator.
Pickled nectarines can be eaten as soon as cooled, though for best flavor, allow them to sit in their brine for at least 48 hours before eating.