Monday, September 22, 2008

Canning

I have been fascinated with the recent harvesting and canning sprees that I have been reading in the blog world. I am kitchen challenged. That kind of thing intrigues me, sparks some childhood memories, and makes me envious.

I recently asked a good friend about her canning, and she explained how she started and what kinds of things she canned. I was just taken with it. Except the part that it's hard on your kitchen floor. lol

It piqued my interest so much, I got out my Ball Blue Book out and peaked at it.

It all seems overwhelming to me and gives me fear that I may end up poisoning my family.

However, last night I found a website that was very helpful for me, the kitchen challenged wannabe. It's called Pick Your Own. Let me just say, with a title like that, I immediately thought of my nose. That's something I could do, but that's not what they mean. lol

I spent an hour last night perusing their website. It took me back to childhood, with mom making currant jelly. She used wax to seal her jelly, not the lids, though. Her currant jelly was sooo good.

It got me to really thinking I'd like to try. Obviously I've had this interest before, as I have had that Ball Blue Book for a long time. This website helped me because it gave directions, had pictures, and recipes, and great details.

I think I'm going to talk to Bob about starting up our garden again next year. Tomatoes are so expensive, and I use lots of tomato sauce, paste spaghetti sauce and cubed tomatoes in my recipes. I could start there.

I think for Christmas I'm going to ask for one of the canning kits from their website (which is actually linked to an outside link.) I might also take a peak down the canning aisle at Wal-mart the next time I go.

I shouldn't be afraid of the kitchen.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I understand about the fear. I grew up in NYC where you didn't have room to keep any canning, and why bother when you have food around the corner lol. The first time I made something here and didn't kill my husband I was very pleased. And relieved :).

As far as the canning kit, check your Wal-Mart or other local stores now, since all that canning stuff tends to be on sale right now. Some of the stuff in the kit you don't need.

One thing I'd recommend is another book, which I've had for 14 years now and swear by, "Putting Food By",

http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Food-Plume-Janet-Greene/dp/0452268990/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222100173&sr=8-1

Very strong on the basic methods, and helps you to not be afraid.

Good luck and have fun!

Anonymous said...

I love to can and I'm so disappointed that our garden has not produced for the last 3 seasons. All the tomatoes I put up 4 seasons ago are just about gone, as are the chili sauces, salsa, and pepper sauces.

Do check out the stores now cause stuff should be on sale!

jesnicole said...

OH, NO! I WASN'T OFFENDED AT ALL!! IT'S JUST SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT YOU WERE TOLD WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER!! DON'T LET ONE JERK'S COMMENTS TURN YOU AWAY, THOUGH!! I'VE LEARNED IN LIFE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES, GENDERS, RELIGIONS, THAT CAN BE REAL JERKS!! AND THE EYE-OPENER IS THAT USUALLY IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE MISERABLE ON THE INSIDE. I HOPE YOU FIND WHAT YOU'RE NEEDING FOR YOU AND YOUR SON! :) THANKS FOR THE COMMENT, I APPRECIATE THEM!

Anonymous said...

Don't be afraid. I canned this summer for my first time ever. I grew up pretty much in the city, as did my parents - no one in my family ever canned. But I did it, and you can too! :)

Sara said...

I'm trying to learn how, also, and I've just made a bunch of pickles. It was a leap of faith to try it again, because last year all the pickles I made ended up getting dumped out because they were so salty no one would eat them. Someday, I'm going to know how to do this.

Garden State Kate said...

Come on over to the "dark side"..lol.
If all you do is can tomatoes..you will be so happy! I never buy tomato
products any more,and I get my lids
at Wallmart. They are the only place near me that sells them.
Most of my jars I have from freecycle
or yard sales. ;-)

Good luck!!