What are you canning now?

[Amiga]

Do they need chilling hours? I keep thinking if they could grow in Florida, then I would know someone who grows them...and I don't. I could eat my weight in kiwi.

and chocolate.

...and then I guess I'd get really, really sick.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Soooo . . .if they are left on the vine until vey ripe , what happens??

 

[Amiga]

They do not all ripen at the same time, and I like that. Very soon after they ripen - within a day or so, they drop to the ground. But I have not timed it precisely. The ripe ones have a certain feel - and if you touch them, they drop instantly into your hand, or are very easy to pick.

So you know if it's time to start picking when you see the first one(s) on the ground.

 

[Arielle]

They do not all ripen at the same time, and I like that. Very soon after they ripen - within a day or so, they drop to the ground. But I have not timed it precisely. The ripe ones have a certain feel - and if you touch them, they drop instantly into your hand, or are very easy to pick.

So you know if it's time to start picking when you see the first one(s) on the ground.

You have inspired me to definitely plant a few next spring!

 

[Amiga]

You have inspired me to definitely plant a few next spring!

 

[KentuckyMom]

I just made a copy of a Pumpkin Fudge Recipe the other day because I thought it sounded good.  Usually I get offers of unwanted pumpkins from friends after halloween, no offers so far this year.  I think the early cold froze all the pumpkins that were set out for decorations before Halloween even came.

Here is the recipe, let me know how it turns out!

Pumpkin Fudge
2 1/2 cups white sugar
2/3 cups evaporated milk
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
7 ounces marshmallow creme
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Line a 9x9 pan with aluminum foil and set aside.
2. Heat Milk and sugar over medium heat to a boil, stirring occationally with a wooden spoon.
3. Mix in pumpkin puree and cinnamon: bring back to a boil.
4. Stir in marshmallow creme and butter.  Bring to a rolling boil.  Cook stirring occasionally, for 18 min.
5. Remove from heat and add white chocolate chips and vanilla.  Stir until creamy and all chips are melted.
6. Pour into prepared pan.  Cool, remove from pan, and cut into squares.  Store in a cool, dry place.

Editted for spelling errors!

I made this fudge yesterday! Yum! I will definitely make it again. Think of a small extra sweet bite of pumpkin pie...

 

[jomoncon]

This is sort of canning related. Not what I've made, but what has helped me out a lot with my canning. I make a lot of jams & jellies to sell at a local farmers market. Last month, my right shoulder was starting to ache from an old injury. When I went to the doctor, she asked what I had be doing lately to re-injure the shoulder. I said I'm not doing anything much except making jams & jellies. Well we discovered that all the stirring was putting a strain on my shoulder. I'm short - 5' tall, and my pots are tall. The combination of reaching up and stirring was causing the problem. I got a small folding step stool - about 10" tall, and use it in front of the stove while I'm doing all the stirring. I made sure I got a white step stool so it easily seen against the dark floor.

No more shoulder problems!! I didn't realize how hard the reaching & stirring was on my shoulder. Plus, I can easily see into the pots while I'm cooking. This has made such a difference in my shoulder. This is a great help for all of the "vertically challenged" canners out there.

 

[Amiga]

This is sort of canning related. Not what I've made, but what has helped me out a lot with my canning. I make a lot of jams & jellies to sell at a local farmers market. Last month, my right shoulder was starting to ache from an old injury. When I went to the doctor, she asked what I had be doing lately to re-injure the shoulder. I said I'm not doing anything much except making jams & jellies. Well we discovered that all the stirring was putting a strain on my shoulder. I'm short - 5' tall, and my pots are tall. The combination of reaching up and stirring was causing the problem. I got a small folding step stool - about 10" tall, and use it in front of the stove while I'm doing all the stirring. I made sure I got a white step stool so it easily seen against the dark floor.

No more shoulder problems!! I didn't realize how hard the reaching & stirring was on my shoulder. Plus, I can easily see into the pots while I'm cooking. This has made such a difference in my shoulder. This is a great help for all of the "vertically challenged" canners out there.

Very helpful information, thanks. I have just begun to enter the stage of life where the body is no longer just wash'n'wear. I am a very active gardener and duck person. When the doc asks what I do, I reply "extreme gardening."

Even sitting wrong in front of the computer can put a strain on my neck. I have a kickalong, a rolling round step stool for the kitchen. I can a bit more each year, so I appreciate the heads-up about tall pots.

 

[Arielle]

Like you I have to sleep just so and sit just so at the computer to not wrench my back . . . and oddly eating good foods and avoiding the sugar and high carb foods makes a huge difference .. . . . love canning good quality soups!

 

[Amiga]

Like you I have to sleep just so and sit just so at the computer to not wrench my back . . . and oddly eating good foods and avoiding the sugar and high carb foods makes a huge difference .. . . . love canning good quality soups!

I have the same experience - finally am shaking my lifelong sweet tooth. I started having some serious knee and ankle aches a while back, found that within a day or two of staying away from sweets, the aches were gone. I also recently read that we start losing muscle mass fairly quickly once we hit mid-life, so having a strengthening exercise routine helps. Of course, with the ducks and gardens, I do lift a bit of weight every day! But a regular routine for all my muscles is something I plan to take up soon.

And the soups - you need to pressure can them, right? I have the canner, I just need to get brave and try it out.