Peach-Orange Conserve

Ingredients

• 3 large oranges (or 4 medium)
• 1 12 cups water
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
• fresh not dried
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10 cups finely chopped
• peeled peaches (
• about 12 large)
• 9 cups white sugar
• 1 (6 ounce) bottle maraschino cherries
• 34 cup slivered almonds

Instructions

1. Wash oranges and slice very thinly, discarding seeds.
2. Cut slices into quarters.
3. Or, if you want to use your food processor, grind the oranges using the steel blade.
4. Place oranges in a large heavy saucepan with the water and simmer, covered, over low heat until clear and soft-- about 30 minutes.
5. Add lemon rind, lemon juice, peaches and sugar.
6. Drain the cherry juice from the bottle and add to pot.
7. Stir well.
8. Cut cherries in half and set aside.
9. Over high heat, bring peach mixture to a boil.
10. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, at a brisk simmer until the mixture thickens and the peaches turn translucent.
11. Expect this to take about 1 hour.
12. Stir frequently.
13. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the cherries and almonds.
14. Remove from heat and skim off foam.
15. Bottle in hot sterilized mason jars and seal with prepared lids.