My pantry additions (FOOD!!)

[KDbeads]

Crap, forgot about the clay belt!  Been out of the south too long.  I can totally relate to water issues, we are on a watering moratorium and burn ban and have been since June.  So it's like not having the spigot outside.  I'm using pasta water and the water left over from canning to water what's left of my garden.  Can't get into the site to see the reference, may have to sign up  


And today's addition:
http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/09/duck-sauce.html

[PoopShoot]

Can't get into the site to see the reference, may have to sign up  

That wasn't the point of the link, but feel free to join.  I've removed it so that the staff doesn't think I'm trying to hide spam.

[Thumpalumpacus]

That did my firefighter's heart good.

[KDbeads]

No worries PS
Wow, that's going to be some really fertile ground next year!   Still happy we haven't had a grass fire here though.

[PoopShoot]

That was a 10 foot hedge.  On a related note, I now have more land.

[KDbeads]

Yep, been in TX too long, 10' is a full grown tree out here!  More land is always good.  I live in the 'city', to get more land I'd have to buy the 2 acre field behind me, then I could get goats, a cow or 2 and really piss off my neighbors instead of the mild annoyance of the 30 some odd chickens in the back yard now.  

[PoopShoot]

I've got just under an acre, but that hedge covered enough land for a whole GOOD garden.

[KDbeads]

And a few more....
http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/09/plum-sauce.html
http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/09 ... sauce.html
http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/09/sriracha.html

[Whitney]

Did you ever happen to blog about step by step how you can something?  I have yet to find instructions that were clear enough that I thought I could follow them and end up with something shelf stable.

[KDbeads]

Actually the best thing to do is get the Ball Blue book, it has step by step with pictures for several different methods of canning.  I do have the step by step thing on the peach butter but is more for those who already have some canning experience.

There is also this site that has some fairly in depth directions that may be of help:
http://www.pickyourown.org/allaboutcanning.htm

If you want to try something, pickles or jelly are the fastest, easiest, most fool proof types you can start with.  
Pickled peppers are probably the easiest actually, ingredients are here: http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/08 ... ppers.html
If you slice up the peppers into rings, pack into jars with spices, wipe off the rims, pour in the vinegar and set in the water bath for 10 or 15 minutes they are a no fail for the most part.

[KDbeads]

Had 3 watermelons given to me yesterday......
http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/09 ... n-jar.html

Damn I'm tired after that one.

[Whitney]

Actually the best thing to do is get the Ball Blue book, it has step by step with pictures for several different methods of canning.  I do have the step by step thing on the peach butter but is more for those who already have some canning experience.

There is also this site that has some fairly in depth directions that may be of help:
http://www.pickyourown.org/allaboutcanning.htm

If you want to try something, pickles or jelly are the fastest, easiest, most fool proof types you can start with.  
Pickled peppers are probably the easiest actually, ingredients are here: http://strayneedle.blogspot.com/2010/08 ... ppers.html
If you slice up the peppers into rings, pack into jars with spices, wipe off the rims, pour in the vinegar and set in the water bath for 10 or 15 minutes they are a no fail for the most part.

Thanks for the help...I'll have to give it a try.

[KDbeads]

Another idea is to call your Ag extension office, they usually hold classes on canning/preserving a few times a year.  Would really be worth the time to go to one if you can!

[Thumpalumpacus]

My mom was just out here from Austin helping a friend move, and she was telling all about how she's canning and pickling all the tomatoes and cucumbers her and her bf grow in their garden, and retardo-me, the first thing I thought of was this thread.  I need to get my garden back in shape.