Easy Peach Preserves (Peach Murabba)

Murabba refers to sweet fruit Preserves or Marmalade. It is quite popular in South Asia, Middle-East and Central Asia. The most common fruits that are usually candied are apple, gooseberry, apricot, and plum. This Peach Murabba or Peach Preserve is inspired by the general Fruit Murabba. It is very easy to make and extremely tasty.
Back in the days’ Murabba was a sweet treat, especially if you have grandparents at home. The original recipe to prepare Murabba would take around 2 to 4 days. For instance, you have to let the fruit soak into the thick sugar syrup for a day and then reheat the syrup and soak again in a repeat mode for a couple of times before you can consume and store for a longer period of time. But then these Murabbas’ can be stored for almost a year if followed that original recipe. But as we moved towards a more and more busy lifestyle preparing these fruit candies that take a prolonged period became less and less frequent. That is why nowadays we don’t see them that often in any household. You can find more on Murabba here.
A part of my effort to preserve some of these traditions. Another part of it to use up buckets of young peaches coming from my own backyard. I tried this shortcut recipe and they came out outstanding. I have not stored them more than a couple of weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator as they always get over quickly.
Fresh Young Peaches! Peach Inside Instant Pot before steaming Boiled Peach Peach Murabba
Traditionally the fruits are soaked overnight in Calcium hydroxide which is also known as edible lime, hydrated lime, or slaked lime. I have not used slaked lime. Instead, I have pressure cooked them with little water and salt. I make the syrup with water and sugar in the ratio of 2:1 and boil it for few minutes. Once the consistency is thick you drop the peaches into the syrup and boil for a few minutes. Now just let the fruits soak for a couple of hours or even overnight in the syrup. You can add cinnamon stick, or cardamom, or a pinch of Saffron strings to add some flavor. Adjust the sweetness as per your taste and as per the fruits’ natural sweetness. After that, all left is to store them in a dry, airtight container. You can store them with or without the syrup.
Yields 8-10
2 hrPrep Time
20 minCook Time
2 hr, 20 Total Time
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Peaches (small to medium size 10-15 peaches)
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 2.5 Cups of Water
- 1/4 tsp Black Salt/Rock Salt
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
Instructions
- Put the Peaches in Instant Pot
- Add 1/4 cup of water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Set Instant Pot in manual mode for 3 mins. It can be done in stove top or in pressure cooker as well.
- Boil water and sugar in Instant pot Sauté mode or on the stove top.
- Add the Cinnamon Stick and black salt
- Taste the syrup and add the recessed fruits.
- Boil for couple of mins (3-4 minutes)
- Turn the heat off and let them soak for couple of hours.
- Store in a dry, airtight container. Preserve in refrigerator.