Preserves and Pickles
I have always wanted to learn how to can stuff, but never thought I'd learn how. With all of the bounty of the fruits this year, I figured I HAD to learn how to do it, so that I can preserve all of this stuff. I would hate for it to all go to waste. There's just so much!
This weekend, I tried it out!
I spent hours reading articles on the internet about canning, then bought myself a pressure canner, read the booklet that came with it, till I was confident enough to start, and got stuff ready to can.
First, I got out the plums (I picked about 12 pounds of the red, and not sure how many, but a lot of the yellow). Washed a little at a time....
Seeded them.....
Then diced them. The recipe I used for the Plum Preserves called for 5 cups plums, 4 cups sugar, and 1 cup water.
Pouring the sugar in...
Then add the water and cook until the mixture starts to gel:
Then, following the directions for the canner, I canned them. I actually made 4 jars, but one of them is in our fridge.
This batch didn't gel too well. The recipe didn't call for pectin, and I wasn't sure how long to cook it before canning. So, live and learn. It still tastes terrific, and we had some on toast yesterday.
I also made another batch of preserves, this time with a mixture of red and yellow plums:
And then some blueberry preserves:
I also made some pickles, out of the cucumbers that my mom gave me (from her garden):
And yesterday morning, James and I spent a couple of hours picking blueberries. We were able to gather 15 pounds of them, so that we could turn them into wine. Here is what the mixture looks like right now...mashed blueberries, sugar, yeast...it's ready to start fermenting. (We used the vita-mix to crush the blueberries).
Not only that, but he bought some bananas and raisins, so that he could make some banana wine...here's what it looks like now, fermenting- it's going to be good!
The mulberry wine, that I posted about the other day, is ready to be strained soon...so tonight I think that is what James and I will be doing.
Whew, so this weekend has been busy. You should have seen my wreck of a kitchen yesterday afternoon!
This weekend, I tried it out!
I spent hours reading articles on the internet about canning, then bought myself a pressure canner, read the booklet that came with it, till I was confident enough to start, and got stuff ready to can.
First, I got out the plums (I picked about 12 pounds of the red, and not sure how many, but a lot of the yellow). Washed a little at a time....
Seeded them.....
Then diced them. The recipe I used for the Plum Preserves called for 5 cups plums, 4 cups sugar, and 1 cup water.
Pouring the sugar in...
Then add the water and cook until the mixture starts to gel:
Then, following the directions for the canner, I canned them. I actually made 4 jars, but one of them is in our fridge.
This batch didn't gel too well. The recipe didn't call for pectin, and I wasn't sure how long to cook it before canning. So, live and learn. It still tastes terrific, and we had some on toast yesterday. I also made another batch of preserves, this time with a mixture of red and yellow plums:
And then some blueberry preserves:
I also made some pickles, out of the cucumbers that my mom gave me (from her garden):
And yesterday morning, James and I spent a couple of hours picking blueberries. We were able to gather 15 pounds of them, so that we could turn them into wine. Here is what the mixture looks like right now...mashed blueberries, sugar, yeast...it's ready to start fermenting. (We used the vita-mix to crush the blueberries).
Not only that, but he bought some bananas and raisins, so that he could make some banana wine...here's what it looks like now, fermenting- it's going to be good!
The mulberry wine, that I posted about the other day, is ready to be strained soon...so tonight I think that is what James and I will be doing.
Whew, so this weekend has been busy. You should have seen my wreck of a kitchen yesterday afternoon!
Posted by Bethany at 6/30/2008 10:49 AM 
Categories: recipes,Getting Organized,Canning and Preserving,Cooking,Photography
Categories: recipes,Getting Organized,Canning and Preserving,Cooking,Photography
I wondered if you were busy playing with the WII...not really, but I did wonder why you were so quiet this weekend.
Canning is hard work, but it's so well worth it when it comes time to pull the bounty from the shelves and enjoy it in the off season.
I would recommend you pick up a Ball's canning book. Wally World has them and they are chocked full of good recipes complete with method needed for canning.
It is so nice to see young women with the desire to actually be homemakers!
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I am so trying to envision the taste of banana wine....I can't do it. It sounds like it would be good though.
I really wish I lived in a better climate for growing things. Our season is so short. Our blueberries aren't ripe until the end of July, but I am hoping to get enough of those to do some canning. I found a pressure canner at a yard sale last year for $2, it just needs a new seal ring.
Your post has prodded me to go tackle the strawberries waiting in my fridge. Have a great day!
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I am trying out the canning as well this year. I live in upstate ny- so our fruit is just ripening. I canned strawberry jam and just did cherry jam today. I used pectin in both recipes and both turned out pretty good. What recipe did you use for your pickles? I would like to try those- once cucumbers are ripe here.
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I've never heard of blueberry wine, but would love to try it- they're my very favorite fruit!
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I love to hear how you guys are always working together on the things you are making. How special! You are very ambitious making all that stuff. I have never heard of those flavors of wines. It all looks so good.
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Good Grief B!!! You must never sit down!! I made homemade pitas and peanut butter bread yesterday and they turned out awesome. I'm hoping to get pics and recipes posted later today!! You always inspire me to cook/bake!
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Judy, thanks!!
Angie, I had tried some banana wine a couple of years ago, and it had such a unique and beautiful flavor that I kept telling James about it and he decided to make some.
I saw your strawberry muffins on your blog the other day...they look great!
Ann Marie, I used one of those mixes for pickles that you buy at the store. I got lazy.
Mother of Many, if you ever do try it, please let me know. It is great tasting...very sweet.
Melissa, thank you!
Mandie, I have missed you!!! How are you doing? I will be checking out the homemade pitas on your blog in just a moment. I haven't ever tried them but have wanted to ever since I saw a recipe for them at Tammy's Recipes. I hope that you are doing well!!!
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Missed you too!!! Thanks for your comment on my pitas. I got the recipe from Tammy's site and they are delicious!!! Mike made a homemade chicken salad to go along with them!
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I too have been trying to find info on canning and preserving - Thanks for this post! When things slow down around here I'll definitely check it out more thoroughly!
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Bethany, it all looks delicious. You are such a hard worker. We have blackberries coming off early this week, so I'm hoping to make some jelly.
BTW, thank you so much for adding me to your blogroll.
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Wow, Bethany! All your preserves look wonderful! I'm sure it was a lot of work and used a lot of dishes (ugh, our FAVORITE part, right?
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Hello, Bethany. I'm new to your blog, and I really enjoyed looking at all the things you're making here! I also enjoy preserving. Good going for your first attempt!!!!
I do have a question, though...you mentioned you are making wine. Have you read these verses?
~ Prov. 20:1 ~ "WINE is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
~ PROV. 21:17 "He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth WINE and oil shall not be rich."
~ PROV. 23:30 ~ "They that tarry long at the WINE; they that go to seek mixed WINE."
~ Prov. 23:31 ~ "Look not thou upon the WINE when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright."
~ PROVERBS 31:4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink WINE; nor for princes strong drink:"
I know there are other verses referring favorably to wine - Jesus even created wine for the wedding. But God cannot contradict Himself. If you read the original Hebrew and Greek, you will see that there are two different words for wine; wine that refers to strong drink, and wine that refers to anything made with grapes. Grape juice is accepted and even encouraged in the Bible. Strong drink is not.
I don't mean to sound annoying or rude. I just see that you very clearly claim to be a believer and love the Lord. I believe you. That is why it puzzles me that you should promote something that is so clearly opposed by scripture. I don't understand.
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Amber, thank you for your question...I have replied here:
http://bethany.preciousinfants.com/2008/07/09/autosaved-74044-am.aspx
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