.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Next Up: Conquer the World!


I was talking to my friend Erin yesterday about canning. She unknowingly inspired me to get back on the canning wagon and make some jam. And applesauce. And peppers. We stayed with her for part of our time in Grand Junction this summer. It was on her floor that Katie pooped. On her kitchen chair that James peed. Yep. And she still talks to me! :) So I was telling Erin her house was like staying at a spa. Seriously, it is. Its nice and quiet. She has lots of cookbooks. Good food. She and her hubby are down to earth, 'good peoples' as Phil would say. Did I mention it was quiet? And relaxing? While we were there, we spent a lot of our time discussing canning, cooking, gardening and the book AnimalVegetableMiracle. Anyway, she sent me home with the book and a newfound desire to can my buns off. That hasn't actually happened. But, I have successfully canned 86 jars of stuff, with plans for about 2 dozen more. I would keep going, but alas, I ran out of jars and everyone is sold out. I estimate that the Groves pigs, I mean family, have consumed upwards of 25 to 30 jars of canned goods already, and I just keep filling the jars back up. Some of that was jars that weren't quite full enough to can. But we're going to have to reign ourselves in or we'll have eaten everything by January. That applesauce is just so good! Next year, I will conquer my pickle fears and maybe even get a real canner and a food mill. After that, I'll conquer the world!



Here is a list of what I have canned this year. I can think of a whole two people who read my blog who will be interested in this, but hey, its for posterity. Here's the list: applesauce, peach applesauce, cinnamon pears, peaches, jalapenos with garlic, jalapenos with cayenne peppers, hot peppers, blueberry-lime jam, pear honey, strawberry-rhubarb syrup, blueberry-orange syrup, strawberry jam, pear jam, peach jam, blackberry jam, raspberry-chocolate spread

I just realized I canned no salsa! The tomatoes didn't do so well this year. Next year I'll have to make sure I plant more tomatoes!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

WOW, Meg! I have always wanted to get into canning... Matthew loves jam & Syrup & canned peaches... and applesauce... I can't believe you have canned sooo much though!!! Props to you! I will have to give you a call before I give it a go... I have had some empty jars starring at me for a few months now. :)