How to Can Pears I don't normally wear an apron when I'm cooking, but sometimes I'll remember to tie one on while I'm canning. So around this time last year, I was wearing an apron to can when my then 3-year old son walked in the kitchen and immediately spotted the problem, "Mama! Your cape is on backwards!" I love that kid. I think about that pretty much every time I put food into jars now. There's something about home food preservation, whether it's drying or freezing or canning, that makes me feel like I'm tapping into a long line of immigrants and pioneers and past generations. Strong, capable women. I really, really like that. I also really Keep Reading
Canning Applesauce {A Step-By-Step Guide}
How to Can Applesauce In years that aren't quite so crazy as this one, my family and I LOVE heading to the apple orchards and spending time picking. In one afternoon, I can spend time with my family, take tons of fun photographs, watch my kids play in a fort, talk to my daughter about the fact that apples grow on trees (!), and enjoy a beautiful drive through some of the best fall scenery Oregon has to offer. Oh, and we also picked up some fruit. Last year I talked about how to freeze homemade applesauce. So many of you commented that I should can it. I had to try it, and you were right. It really is a simple process of washing, Keep Reading
How to can apple pie filling
How to Can Apple Pie Filling My husband is a HUGE apple pie fan, so ever since his Aunt Anita started giving some of her canned apple pie filling to us for Christmas, I have been wanting to learn to do the same. Well, I finally did it! Armed with six large boxes of apples, Aunt Anita taught me all the steps to canning and sent me home with 16 jars AND a box of apples. We had fun and I learned a lot, including the fact that canning apples is not very difficult. I now have a delicious dessert that takes only minutes to prepare and is just waiting in my pantry. Since I'm not great at planning ahead for events, this is the perfect way for me to Keep Reading
Canning Tomatoes: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Can Tomatoes Tomato season is winding down, but you still have time to jump in on the canning action. Late tomato varieties are still rolling in from the fields. Simply call different farms or produce markets in your area. For the past two years, I have paid around 50¢ per pound for larger orders of canning tomatoes. One quart jar will hold around 2.5 pounds. I love canning tomatoes for two simple reasons: They require no finesse. Using this method, you can cram the tomatoes into the jars whole, creating juice from the tomatoes themselves. They are so versatile. Canned tomatoes are the foundation for a hundred different winter Keep Reading
Peach Vanilla Bean Jam (a canning recipe)
Peach Vanilla Bean Jam Studies have shown that preserving food by canning is intimidating for 99.9% of people who are trying it for the first time. Okay, I just made that up. I don't know of any studies, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that this is an area of homemaking that can be totally overwhelming. Head space? Processing time?! A bubble remover?!? Ack! Take a deep breath. You can do this, and jam can help. Seriously, it is a great place to start. Simply chop the fruit, add the sweetener and spices (which can be changed to fit your tastes), stir in some pectin, and simmer until the mixture has thickened into jam. Fill the Keep Reading
Canning Peaches: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Can Peaches In August, peaches start to ripen and hang heavy from the branches. Whether you pick your own or buy them from your local farmers market or produce stand, fresh peaches are sticky, sweet summertime treats. Early varieties of peaches are generally available in late July or early August. Later varieties should be available through mid-late September. If you buy or pick large quantities of fruit, it's a good idea to spread it out in one layer so you don't end up with a mushy mess when the fruit starts to ripen. I also add a small bowl of apple cider vinegar (with a couple drops of dish soap) to the mix to keep the fruit fly Keep Reading
How to Can Sweet Cherries {A Step-By-Step Guide}
After a few fun-filled days around the Fourth of July spent in Lyle, Washington last year, my little family headed over to Maryhill, Washington, land of vineyards, orchards, hot weather, and wind turbines. We had one thing on our minds: sweet cherries. My sisters had stopped by the Maryhill Fruit Stand earlier in the week. They kept talking about how they bought a bag of cherries and ate it before they even made it back to the car, the fruit was so sweet. U-pick was just $1 a pound (apricots, too). My husband and I had talked about picking cherries for years; we needed to track this place down. Pulling up to the fruit stand, the sign Keep Reading