Safety classification
Tested NCHFP recipe. Follow the cited formulation and process exactly.
Processing details
- Method: Boiling-water
canning - Pack: Hot fill
- Jars: Half-pint jars
- Headspace: 1/4 inch
- Yield: About 5 half-pints
Tested source
National Center for Home Food Preservation: Apricot-Orange Conserve.
Preparation timeline
Prepare apricots and citrus; cook the fruit mixture to the tested endpoint; stir in nuts; fill hot sterile jars; process; cool.
Equipment
Boiling-water canner, half-pint jars, jar lifter, funnel, thermometer, and a heavy nonreactive pot.
Visual method guide
- Prepare and accurately measure the fruit or juice.
- Cook to the source’s temperature or consistency endpoint.
- Fill, process, and cool jars upright and undisturbed.
Safety essentials
Keep the tested fruit, citrus, sugar, and nut quantities, 1/4-inch headspace, half-pint jar size, and process.
About this recipe
A tested apricot-orange conserve made without added pectin. A conserve combines apricot, orange juice and peel, lemon juice, sugar, and chopped nuts without added pectin.
Before you begin
If starting with dried apricots, tenderize them in 3 cups water as directed. Sterilize jars because the base process is 5 minutes.
Altitude/pressure schedule
5 minutes at 0–1,000 ft; 10 minutes at 1,001–6,000 ft; 15 minutes above 6,000 ft.
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups chopped, drained apricots
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice
- Peel of 1/2 orange, finely shredded
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Method
- If using dried apricots, cook uncovered in 3 cups water until tender, about 20 minutes; drain and chop.
- Combine everything except the nuts. Cook to 9°F above the local boiling point of water or until thick, stirring constantly.
- Add nuts, stir, remove from heat, and skim.
- Fill hot sterile jars to 1/4-inch headspace and process by elevation.
Serving suggestions
Serve with toast, scones, cheese, or roasted poultry after opening.
FAQ
When are the nuts added? Stir them in only after the fruit mixture reaches the tested endpoint.
Recipe context and comparison
Unlike plain apricot jam, this conserve includes citrus and nuts and must retain its own tested proportions.
Troubleshooting
Stir constantly as the mixture thickens to prevent scorching; use the local boiling point for the temperature endpoint.
Source and provenance
Safety-critical values and the complete formulation remain tied to the original NCHFP source.