What are you canning now?

[Happy Chooks]

Micky328, that looks like a nice one.

It looks similar to one that we were looking at purchasing last summer but couldn't think of a use for it. Little did I know I would be a canning fool this fall.

Question for those in the know for apples:
I have the opportunity to order some apples from Utah. I want to can applesauce and pie filling. Possibly dehydrate some also for snacks.
My options are: Jonathan, JonaGold, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Macintosh.

I like Golden Delicious apples, so I'd pick that. And Macintosh apples need a pollinator, and Golden Delicious are good pollinators.

 

[rancher hicks]

After a not-so-successful attempt at using our BBQ, I started searching online. Most I saw were only about 4 inches high or so and we'd have needed to build something to put it on. Lots were imo too flimsy to hold a big ole pot of water and jars. Finally found one on Amazon that was up on legs and I really liked it...it was tall enough that I wouldn't have to bend all the time, but not so tall that I couldn't lift stuff on and off. It was about $65 or so with free shipping. I very nearly ordered it but Dave suggested we check locally to see what we might find. This is what we found...for $89. I'm very pleased with it!

Thank you so much for the pics. See the thing is. I didn't can inside cuz it was so hot AND it takes up room on the stove. So when DW comes home to make dinner my big pot of water is in the way. What's more the humidity is to much in the summer.

When I begin to process chickens I don't want to have to set up everything and take everything down each time. I mean I will clean up the pots and all, but I don't want to have to set up the stove and plucker each time. I must admit I'm really struggling these days cuz our yard and coop don't always look like the pictures in the magazines. They don't show the half eaten pumpkin pieces laying in the yard, or the muddy spots in front of the chicken run doors. The chickens always look so nice and plump, but my roosters aren't looking so nice since they are molting.

 

[caspernc]

Yeah, real life hittin' ya in the face! Any picture can be made to look good! REALLY, well real life isn't always pretty, but it is still is better than the grocery!

 

[mickey328]

I like Golden Delicious for eating as well, but not so much for cooking. Macs DO need a pollinator as do quite a number of apple trees. The humble crabapple is an excellent pollinator; you just need to make sure that you have at trees that bloom at the same time.

You're right, Rancher...I've even noticed most coop pix are taken just after a clean up, LOL. We sort of have to keep things fairly tidy since we have a busybody neighbor...otherwise, I really wouldn't worry all that much.

I highly recommend a little stove like we got. It doesn't take up all that much room and easily accommodates 2 big pots. Once the season is over, the legs come off easily and it all stores back in the box. We haven't processed chickens yet, only have 6 for eggs, but I'm sure when the time comes, it'll make it much, much nicer to be able to keep the heat, humidity and mess outside.

 

[bockbock2008]

What are you canning now? Nothing at the moment, but I have my eye on some persimmons that are near ripe.

Mine have just started falling. What all do do you do with yours?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I am NOT a fan of persimmons, but I was given some last year and made this recipe - it's very good. (spice cake like) Make the 2nd recipe, not the first:
http://www.bucknrunranch.com/blog/2011/11/26/recipe-rescue-persimmon-bread/

 

[GulfStar]

Mine have just started falling. What all do do you do with yours?

I am NOT a fan of persimmons, but I was given some last year and made this recipe - it's very good. (spice cake like) Make the 2nd recipe, not the first:
http://www.bucknrunranch.com/blog/2011/11/26/recipe-rescue-persimmon-bread/

I mostly do a spiced preserve. I try to do new recipes just to see what they are like, persimmons are not everyones thing. I already have them growing on my property, so I try to make use of them.

 

[skyangel]

Excellent! I always do my corn outside in the big turkey cooker (which has never seen a turkey since the day I bought it). I wanted it to do my corn for freezing, and I can get 3 dozen in that big pot at once. I do it all on my deck, and big stainless steel bowls filled with ice water to plunge them in. I also use a dish strainer atop of a towel to strain the corn before wrapping. Nothing like corn on the cob during the holidays. Just like the day you bought it Hats off to ya!

Thank you so much for the pics. See the thing is. I didn't can inside cuz it was so hot AND it takes up room on the stove. So when DW comes home to make dinner my big pot of water is in the way. What's more the humidity is to much in the summer.

When I begin to process chickens I don't want to have to set up everything and take everything down each time. I mean I will clean up the pots and all, but I don't want to have to set up the stove and plucker each time. I must admit I'm really struggling these days cuz our yard and coop don't always look like the pictures in the magazines. They don't show the half eaten pumpkin pieces laying in the yard, or the muddy spots in front of the chicken run doors. The chickens always look so nice and plump, but my roosters aren't looking so nice since they are molting.

 

[mickey328]

10 quarts apple juice, 11 pts carrots, half pints caramel/vanilla apple butter and have 7 qts of potatoes in the canner now. Think that's about done me in for the day, LOL Gonna get the spuds out, clean up and hit my recliner.

Has anyone ever canned mashed potatoes? I didn't have quite enough potatoes for the 8th quart, so I sliced them into a pint jar. Want to see if they're any good for frying after being canned.

 

[rancher hicks]

check