In the last two articles in this series(Part 1, Part 2) we have talked about choosing a pressure canner as well as many of the safety guidelines you should use when canning your produce. This article will take you through the steps of canning one at a time. In this example I am going to be canning potatoes. Potatoes are easy to can much like any other vegetable, and make a fast easy addition to soups and stews. There are two different types of "packs" that you are likely to see when canning ... [ Read More ]
Pressure Canning Basics Part 2 – Getting Ready to Pressure Can For the First Time
This is a continuation of my Pressure Canning Basics Article You can find the first article in the series Here Once you have chosen the right pressure canner it is time to consider what you will use it for. For our family the idea was to grow as much of our own food as possible and preserving it was a must. I have pressured canned for years, but this year took on a new urgency as I wanted to make sure we had plenty of food for the winter. You may have already thought a great deal ... [ Read More ]
Pressure Canning Basics Part 1 – Choosing a Canner
Once you have decide to give pressure canning a try there comes the question of what equipment you will need as well as what to do. While most canners come with instructions, many of the instruction booklets are not very clear, especially if you are a beginning canner who has never done any canning before. This article is intended for beginners and is a step by step tutorial on choosing a canner, getting ready to can and canning for your first time. What You Use a Pressure Canner ... [ Read More ]
10 Reasons to Give Pressure Canning a Try
One thing I hear more than anything else is new canners talking about being afraid of using a pressure canner, this fear while understandable is unfounded in that the concerns they may have regarding these canners have long since been addressed. I cannot encourage new canners enough to give this process a try once you do you will never look back. Canners are much safer than they have ever been, and the chance of an accident when canning jars of food is extremely low. All canners ... [ Read More ]
English Style Pickled Onions
Pickled onions were a staple in my husband's home when he was growing up. He spent his middle school and high school years in England and pickled onions where a part of many meals in their home. It did not take long before I heard stories from my English mother-in-law about how quickly the pickled onions would magically disappear out of their pantry with hungry teenage boys of course being the culprits. I knew I had to try my hand at making these and in the beginning my in-laws would bring ... [ Read More ]
Blueberry Zucchini Pound Cake
I am always and forever looking for ways to use eggs and zucchini in, the two things that are the most abundant at our house. Pound cake is always a good way to use up eggs and this pound cake also uses Zucchini to create a moist flavorful pound cake. Not only do I used up extra eggs and zucchini but my family loves this cake and it also freezes well. Blueberry Zucchini Pound Cake Print Prep time 30 mins Cook time 90 mins Total time 2 hours ... [ Read More ]
Sweet and Spicy Pickled Beets
I have been working madly to keep up with all of our harvest lately, with the worst yet to come, I am still doing a pretty good job of getting everything done. A lot of our harvest has been going into the freezer, due to cost issues, and not having enough canning jars for this big of a harvest, but I decided to make some sweet and spicy pickled beets for my daughter and mother in law these are one of their favorites and they look forward to them every year. These beets offer a ... [ Read More ]
Should I Can or Freeze my Garden Harvest?
One of the most common questions asked at harvest time is whether to put produce in the freezer or to can it. The answer to this question will vary depending on who you ask, preppers like to can most of their produce because it keeps without the need for electricity, while those who are more concerned about nutrition often say it is better to freeze it since it goes through much less heat and cook time, and preserves nutrients better. In addition to freezing and canning you can also dry your ... [ Read More ]
Strawberry Shortcake Ala Mode
There is nothing quite as good in the summer as home grown strawberries when they are paired with vanilla ice cream and homemade shortcakes. This version of strawberry shortcake has been a favorite in our home in the summer for many years. Strawberry Shortcake Ala Mode Print Prep time 2 hours Cook time 30 mins Total time 2 hours 30 mins Author: Patty Recipe type: Dessert Serves: 4 Ingredients 3cups of strawberries ¼ cup of sugar (adjust this ... [ Read More ]
What to do for Chickens in Extreme Heat
We are not the only ones that suffer from the heat outdoors, with temperatures soaring into the 100s throughout much of the US many of us are watching as our animals struggle with the heat as well. We can keep our dogs and cats outside but when you have a large flock of birds that is not an option and yet the temperatures that our nation has seen this week can have a serious affect on your flock if you are not prepared. I have never had to deal with heat and chickens before this ... [ Read More ]