October 3, 2005
What's Happenin' In My Kitchen...
Posted in Daily Happenings
I stepped away from my 'puter' and decided to do some canning. The other day I made pumpkin butter (from real pumpkins) Today I've been squirting tomato juice all over my kitchen (and me). Just a tip, don't wear a white T-Shirt when canning tomatoes.
I have a whomping 7 quarts of tomatoes. (this is the part where you say ohhhhh....ahhhhh.) I am quite proud considering this is my first attempt at canning tomatoes. I think I will buy some more tomatoes to put up, now that I know what it is all about.
Now, awaiting my creative talents are some Muscadines that my MIL gave me. (I never heard of them until yesterday.) They are in the grape family, but they have a little more 'bite' than regular grapes. I'm going to attempt to make jelly. Does anyone have any suggestions for this newbie? I have lots of sugar, pectin, and a cheesecloth. LOL
Soon I will be making a trip to the local apple orchard to buy some apples. Last year I put up fried apples (yummy) those go with just about anything.
I've loved talking to my Wonderful Mom (WM) and MIL getting canning tips. I tried looking in my cookbooks and searching the Handy Dandy Internet to see what to do, but that just isn't the same as taking to someone. 'specially someone as knowledgeable as my WM and MIL!
I wanted to share this one bit of advice my MIL gave me. This came from the "Old Timers." You shouldn't can (especially sauerkraut) when Aunt Flo is here for a visit, or your food will spoil. Has anyone else heard this? I told my MIL that women must have made that up so they didn't have to can during that time. She said it was true. If you can sauerkraut during that time, it will turn BLACK! Hmmm... I think I will have to do some more research on this. (Luckily, I don't have to worry about canning sauerkraut.) BLECH!
Off I go...
© Amy Beth Kear, 2005
Comments
October 3, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
The last time I made blueberry jam (okay, the only time!) we used this stainless steel thing that had a handle you turn to push the pulp out of the berries and through the seive part, leaving the skin behind. It made such a nice, smooth jam-- mmmmmm!!! Maybe that would help with your muscadines.
Your pumpkin butter sounds mighty fine there, Amy Beth! It would make quite a deeeeelectable breakfast with a fluffy stack of wheat pancakes, maple syrup and a sprinklin' of chopped peeecans.
:-) I'll be up around 6am in the morning if you'd like to bring some over. I'll make the coffee...or do you prefer tea?
Love,
Marsha
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October 4, 2005 - YUM!
Posted by jewls2texas
OOOOOOHHHH AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! That is really impressive. I remember the first time I made peach jam - I thought it was amazing! I am soon to make apple sauce, and hopefully apple butter - if I can find a friend to can with. Do you think it is too far to come up to West Virginia for an afternoon???
I had also heard about the Aunt Flo thing - and while I have no experience to find that it is true - I do know things like - I got a perm that flopped when I was pregnant. I wouldn't think it could make a difference if you don't put your hands on your food - but who knows! I have found that doing anything involving knives when Aunt Flo is visiting can be dangerous!! hee hee!
Here is another little canning story - my parents made root beer when I was little. They had just gotten everything canned, cleaned up and the jars put neatly on the pantry shelf - when suddenly it sounded like there was gunfire behind the bi-fold pantry doors. The jars were all exploding! YIKES! I don't think I would try to can anything carbonated.
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October 4, 2005 - Please share recipe
Posted by jewls2texas
Where did you find your pumpkin butter recipe? Would you share?
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October 4, 2005 - Mmmmmmm!
Posted by sdacrew
I just canned my first spaghetti sauce, so I know exactly how pleased you are! I was thinking about canning pumpkins too! Right now, there is a little stand down the road selling home-grown pears-they are calling me! Can them now, and lovely pear crisp this winter!
Ann
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October 5, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by gal51
I haven't canned in a long while, but you have inspired me! ooooohing and aaahhhhhhing over your tomatoes :)
~Heather
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