I bought a box of CO peaches and the man said to let them sit a day or two as they are still sort of hard.
When will I know they are ok to can? Do they need to be soft to the touch, or firm still?

Thanks

I've never canned peaches, but I sure do love to eat them. IMO, they are ripe when you can squeeze them and they give just a bit, and when they have a wonderful aroma. Peaches that don't smell aren't ripe. (Same goes for pineapples, by the way.)

I think when you can them would depend on how you like them - if you like them firm, can them now.

When the pit comes out easy. If they are not quite ripe the fruit sticks to the pit. You want the fruit soft/firm... Also, spread them out on a table onto newspaper and cover with newspaper. They will ripen quicker and won't have the pressure bruises on them from sitting in the box. I have gotten lots of peaches from Utah and they are usually not quite ripe.

Soft to touch yes, but be careful when checking as peaches bruise easy. check only one or two peaches. also if the area around the stem is still green than goes without saying they are not ripe. I just did up 5lb of peaches just for easting and they are so good.

If you let them sit a day they will sweeten and soften. I fyou're going to can them they will cook and soften more. We like to can them on the firm side then they don't turn to mush.

Happy Canning...

Thanks all..I just hope I can do them without adding sugar...

you can pack them n unsweetened pineapple juice.

yum. My mouth is watering now.

I usually put them in a large brown paper grocery bag, (one layer of peaches) with the bag laying on its side. Lightly close the bag. Check from time to time but in a day or two, when you open the bag to check, you can really smell the peaches. You will know they are ripe.

According to the USDA new guidelines, they can be done without sugar. You can use plain water, or I used white grape juice cut with water. I just added water to the juice until it tasted good to me. I don't like super sweet stuff.

Good Luck.