The harvest has been plentiful this year which means we can get a lot of great produce at a reasonable price. This makes for a perfect time for canning a little extra to give as gifts this Christmas.
They are also great to have on hand to give as a hostess gift, in a basket as part of a bridal shower gift or even to take as part of a care package for someone who is sick.
This is wonderful poured over a block of cream cheese and served with crackers for parties. I’ve also used it over a roast in the crockpot.
Warning: Although this is a jelly, it is not thick like most jellies. You need to follow the instructions carefully.
Detailed explanation of how to make this with pictures Go Here.
I.LOVE.THIS.RECIPE!!!
Makes about 8 pints of salsa… which is nowhere near enough!!!
Simmer for 30 minutes, then process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.
For a very detailed explanation on how to prepare this, including pictures, go here.
A sweet friend gave us a couple of gallons of blackberries…big, juicy blackberries! Which means my very capable assistants and I had to get busy!
Now… the downside of blackberries are all those little seeds.
The first thing I did was run the berries through the food processor. Let me just say, I LOVE THE FOOD PROCESSOR! It really does make kitchen work so much faster!!!
Our blueberry bushes are done producing, so we are making jam with the last of the fresh berries.
This is an easy project for the kids to do (with supervision). They will also each be entering a jar into the county fair next month.
Using the COOKED RECIPE, follow the directions on the package of pectin. All you need is 5-6 cups of berries, sugar and pectin.
Place your new (never used) lids (not the rings) in a pan of hot water on the stove so they will be very hot for sealing.
Don’t you just love the colors of summer?
We are so very blessed to live in an area with great farmer’s markets. We even have access to some beautiful organically grown produce which you see in the picture above.
Today Peachy-girl and I put up come sweet corn,
well I did the work and she photo-bombed the picture and asked me dozens of questions!
Every home should have a 4 year old!
Jeff and the kids picked green beans the other day. A friend *gave* them to us, we just had to come pick.
They brought home a BUNCH of beans!
It took 5 of us snapping to get them done.
I gave the younger children a basket full of beans to be snapped and placed them in front of the TV watching a documentary about bees, because bees are what they’ve been asking so much about lately.
Is canning worth it? It depends. Overall I’d say yes, but it does depend on your situation and season of life.
You have to consider the cost of supplies, the food, your time and the canned food quality.
When you start buying jars, lids, a canner (especially if you buy a pressure cooker) and other supplies you may think it is not cost effective.
Supplies-
The Food-
Our banana peppers have done better than any other plants this year.
Sterilize 2 - pint jars. Keep jars hot until it is time to fill them.
Heat up your lids.
Pickling Juice
2 cups white vinegar
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
Bring the vinegar, sugar, mustard seed to a rolling boil.
If you want to remove the seeds do so, I left the seeds in mine.
NOTE: These are banana peppers so it is OK to remove the seeds without gloves.
We put up green beans a couple weeks ago.
now we’re working on sweet corn…
Oh, how I hate the mess…
but I sure do love the results!
We’ve also made pickles…
both dill and bread and butter.
20 -30 jars at a time will make this winter easier on the pocketbook!
Be sure to check out the From Seeds to Harvest Gardening Challenge over at She Considers,
