What are you canning now?

[Sparks]

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Well I've got one pot filled with Pink Currants washed and ready to go, and I've got one pot filled with Red Currants and ready to go and I've got Goose berries washed and raspberries in the freezer for another jam. Iv'e got Red Currants but need 2 lbs of Raspberries for another. (I did all the berries up in jam last night forgetting I need to save 2lbs. So now I need more) Also I have a lb/1cup of black currants and an extra 2lbs or so of Red Currants. I got the last of the gooseberries. I needed 1 lb but picked 2 cuz they may not be as juicy this late.


All are washed and cleaned ready to be done up. BUT I need to buy more jars and a few other things to be added to the recipes.

Now, How do you strain your Currants? I used cheese cloth last time but it's messy. Any other ideas of making it easier?

I put them through a food mill until it started to be more pulp. Then I strained it through a vey fine/mesh sieve. It is nice and clear. First time I did it that way. Less mess! I will do that again.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well I started the pink currants (note the time). Church tonight and I had to go to the store to get more jars. I do need to plan cuz Wegmans is the only place I 've seen the 4oz. jars and DW likes those. I notice they're getting down there so I may not be the only one using them.

Anyhow I got some cheese cloth there to use and I'll reuse it this time.

I singe the berries but won't say anything to the family unless they say "yuk this tasted burned" in which case I'll have to dump the whole lot. That will suck big time.

I did find a recipe for red and black currants together and guess what? I have exactly the amounts needed so it won't mean another trip to Hencles. Unless I can't get the raspberries i need at the Regional Market.

Well take care, breaks over

Rancher

 

[vfem]

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I went to the fabric store and bought unbleached muslin cotton CHEAP. Sewed a bunch of jelly bags for myself in the sizes I needed for the bowl sizes I have on had. Great move since I rewash them over and over again. I think I spent $1.75 on all the muslin last year... and I STILL have 2 yards left to make more bags and dish rags.

Didn't do any canning of course, but those tomatoes are going REALLY well. They are tiny cherry and grape tomatoes, so after I brought them in last night I put them in the oven on low (my proofing temp for bread) and a handful finished up for me so I packed those in a jar for now. Taking the trays back out to the car today. By tonight a few more should be done. Last year, it took 3 days in the car for the tomatoes to fully dry. I just have to keep going back out and adding more kosher salt to draw out the liquids.

On my blog, I shared the experience last year and how we did it.

http://fromseed.blogspot.com/2010/08/sun-drying-tomatoes-in-my-car.html

 

[chicken stalker]

I just picked up 2 red gooseberry bushes and 3 black currant bushes 50% at Agway. Woot!

 

[Acre of Blessings]

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You just gotta love those end of season sales!!! Great buy

About a month ago I was at Lowes Hardware and picked up 3 raspberries bushes for $2 each they were $9.99 each at regular price.

Still canning here....full steam ahead!!!! Canning pickles tonight, salsa tomorrow and Saturday and then another row of potatoes one day next week. My canner hasn't had a chance to cool down. lol. Lovin' it though.

We need a canning smiley to use on here.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm going to do another batch of mango raspberry jam after dinner.

 

[rancher hicks]

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Lucky you. Now is actually the time or will be to plant these things. Now I have to say that I don't know if its cuz I singed the bottom or just cuz they are currants but I don't like the pink currant jelly. DW says it's ok but not her favorite. She likes the red. Now you can use currant jelly for sauces and glazes or on cookies.

I just learned DW threw out the cheese cloth though I must confess it's my own fault. I did up the red currants early this morning and got done a 4:30 am. I was so tired and my back was really hurting I figured I'd just clean up today. So I left everything in the sink.

The guy I hire came to finish the fencing we started and so it was a busy day. He came at ten to nine and I barely got out of bed.

So I still have two or three jellies to finish but they well have to wait til tomorrow and Saturday cuz I need more raspberries and I don't want to go pick more. Unless I can find them cheaper than the store.

Stalker - I think three currant bushes should yield enough for a families supply of jam, though there are some nice combination recipes out there. As for the goose berries they may yield enough, but I might plant more just to be safe. You can always sell berries. Do you already know this? Also you can use chicken cleanings to mulch. Sorry if you know all this already.

 

[chicken stalker]

Rancher- I sell jams at the local farmers market. Last year I sold a little over 2000 jars. I am almost up to 800 jars. My hobby exploded! And I have a full time job and 4 kids. Every year I buy as many fruit trees and bushes that are on clearance. I am going to hit another agway tomorrow. I'm a long way off for being sufficent but I got enough for my family and friends

.

BTW here is my website if interested www.oldbarnhollow.com

 

[Anna_B_Happy]

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That is so cool! 2000 Jars....unbelieveable.....

 

[KDbeads]

I was in town today and stumbled across cherries for 1.99 a pound! Bought 3 bags and ended up with 6.5 pounds....... contemplating what to do with them tomorrow. Cherries in syrup, spiced pickled cherries, jam..... hmmmmmm