Spiced Peaches

                                      Makes 4 Quarts
Canning is the best way to make summer produce last through the year.

10                pound firm-ripe peaches (about 20), peeled 
5                  cups sugar 
2-1/3            cups rice vinegar
1                  teaspoon whole allspice
12                black peppercorns
4                  cinnamon sticks (each about 2 1/2 in. long)
4                  cardamom pods, cracked (see notes)
4                  star anise

          ** Follow steps 1 through 4 of Canning Instructions, using four wide-mouth quart-size jars.**
1.          Halve and pit peaches.
 2.         In a 6- to 8-quart pan, combine sugar, vinegar, allspice, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and star anise. Stir over high heat until boiling; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3.         Turn heat under sugar mixture to high. Add 1/3 of peaches, cover, and stir occasionally until mixture returns to a boil and peaches are barely tender when pierced, 2 to 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer peaches to a large bowl. Repeat to cook remaining peaches. Remove syrup from heat.
 4.        Arrange spices and peaches, cut sides down, equally in jars. Return syrup to boiling over high heat.
5 .        Follow steps 5 through 11 of Canning Instructions, ladling hot syrup over peaches, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace in each jar, and processing jars for 25 minutes (see notes). Chill any extra syrup airtight up to 2 weeks.