What are you canning now?

[rancher hicks]

Today was the third and final harvest of the gooseberry bush. Looks like I'll be jammin' tomorrow!

I wish I could get just one of those big ones each year. My bushes just aren't doing any good. Maybe next year. How and where are your bushes planted? Do you use a fertilizer on them? Would Miracle Grow help?

I tried Miracle grow in my coffee but I'm still short.

I was happy to get 2 cups of red currants though I really need 4 for a batch of jelly.

I added 12oz. of gooze berries I picked last year to what little Black currants I had to make jelly.

My gooseberry jam is way to tart. Can I dump it and remake it with strawberries? I'd hate to waste 7 cups of gooseberries.

I didn't pick this year as we spent far to much money last year. Plus I've lots of stuff in the freezer to do up first.

 

[rancher hicks]

I have only frozen onions, but I know people can pickled onions. Canning without the pickling would make the onions doable for soups, I'd think.

There are Chutney recipes that use onions.

 

[Peep_Show]

Gooseberries mix well with other berries if you're making jam. Last year I had a bit left (but not enough for a whole batch of jam) and I combined with blueberries and raspberries. The Tri-Berry Jam was a big hit.

The secret for big berries, IMHO, is to put bird netting over the bushes so nothing gets in once it has bloomed. Quail were more than happy I had removed the netting after the harvest and didn't waste any time to get to gleaning.

My gooseberries are planted in somewhat sandy soil (I live in NM) and are slightly shaded by the apple tree during noonday sun, but get plenty of morning eastern and late afternoon western light. They get regular watering. About once or twice a year some Miracle Grow or Spray-and-Grow when I remember to do it. I know they're happy because they've got rooted shoots.

When I first moved to the property I almost pulled out the gooseberry because I thought it was just another overgrown weed in the veggie compound, and then I saw the one lone green berry that some quail had missed which saved the bush.

 

[rancher hicks]

Gooseberries mix well with other berries if you're making jam. Last year I had a bit left (but not enough for a whole batch of jam) and I combined with blueberries and raspberries. The Tri-Berry Jam was a big hit.

The secret for big berries, IMHO, is to put bird netting over the bushes so nothing gets in once it has bloomed. Quail were more than happy I had removed the netting after the harvest and didn't waste any time to get to gleaning.

My gooseberries are planted in somewhat sandy soil (I live in NM) and are slightly shaded by the apple tree during noonday sun, but get plenty of morning eastern and late afternoon western light. They get regular watering. About once or twice a year some Miracle Grow or Spray-and-Grow when I remember to do it. I know they're happy because they've got rooted shoots.

When I first moved to the property I almost pulled out the gooseberry because I thought it was just another overgrown weed in the veggie compound, and then I saw the one lone green berry that some quail had missed which saved the bush.

I'm all for planting anything that can be used for food. I've even read some, about landscaping with food plants. IMO there is no reason to go without when it's so easy to set aside food. Even a percentage that saves on the food bill is better than nothing.

I'm no quitter so I'll keep trying to get these things to thrive. Lord knows it's not easy.

I hate when I hear folks complain about how well their berries are doing. Why not just offer to give some to folks who will use them.

Now as to this jam? Can I open the jars, dump it into a pot and add something to take the edge off? My SIL is from the U. K. and they like this tart stuff. Though he hasn't tasted this. I'd have to mail him some and see what he thinks.

Take care, Places to go, people to annoy,

Rancher

 

[Peep_Show]

I have taken a jars of leftovers (you know, that which doesn't quite fill up a whole jar and so it goes into the fridge instead) and when another pot was on a boil added it and stirred it in with no real consequences (that I can tell, anyway). But, then, I have a husband that will eat ANYTHING and proclaim it yummy.

 

[rancher hicks]

I have taken a jars of leftovers (you know, that which doesn't quite fill up a whole jar and so it goes into the fridge instead) and when another pot was on a boil added it and stirred it in with no real consequences (that I can tell, anyway). But, then, I have a husband that will eat ANYTHING and proclaim it yummy.

Thanks I'll give it a shot.

 

[Raech]

I dice then freeze my extra onions, I use them in stews, casseroles and taco meat. Anywhere that the kids won't notice is where they go.

I complain about my herbs producing too quick, but I dry all of my herbs and add to everything. I don't have enough freezer space to make pestos and oil/herb mixes. My paper bags dont take up much room. As long as I don't confuse the catnip with my otger green herbs Hubby doesn't complain much. Just picked a pie plate worth of basil and have more to do, but forgot to put a cage on a tomato bush so I kinda lost the basil plant next to it. Oops. Next is the oregano and chives in the back garden bed, and the other herb that I think is sage(large paler green leaf used on chicken alot). I need to start remembering what I plant and I added 2 new herbs this year, rosemary(pine tree looking thing) and the sage(if Im right). Off to crunch up the herbs in the bags and see ifthey are ready to be put in peanut butter containers yet.

 

[rancher hicks]

I dice then freeze my extra onions, I use them in stews, casseroles and taco meat. Anywhere that the kids won't notice is where they go.

I complain about my herbs producing too quick, but I dry all of my herbs and add to everything. I don't have enough freezer space to make pestos and oil/herb mixes. My paper bags dont take up much room. As long as I don't confuse the catnip with my otger green herbs Hubby doesn't complain much. Just picked a pie plate worth of basil and have more to do, but forgot to put a cage on a tomato bush so I kinda lost the basil plant next to it. Oops. Next is the oregano and chives in the back garden bed, and the other herb that I think is sage(large paler green leaf used on chicken alot). I need to start remembering what I plant and I added 2 new herbs this year, rosemary(pine tree looking thing) and the sage(if Im right). Off to crunch up the herbs in the bags and see ifthey are ready to be put in peanut butter containers yet.

How do you dry your herbs?

I understand the freezer part ours is full. I don't know how we got along without it. I have to make more jam to make room for meat. I'm reluctant to buy raspberries for jam because I've got other fruit in the freezer.

I am considering some pesto though. I try to figure how many times in the year we will eat it and just make enough for that.

If my tomatoes were put in earlier I'd do sauce. We eat a lot of that.

 

[Glasshen]

Just made some currant jelly, and it didn't need any pectin because the fruit had plenty! I love that. This is what I got from three quarts of currants.

 

[WthrLady]

More pickling.

3 quarts of whole dill pickles
1 quart of dill pickle slices

Sill have two large cucumbers sitting on the counter. Harvest may slow down as we had a massive storm with some blow down damage.

1 pint of sliced banana pepper rings
3 half pints of sliced banana pepper rings

2- 4 ounce jars of sliced jalapeño peppers

Tomatoes are starting to come in. I'll can those is small batches, 4-6 quarts at a time as they do.