What are you canning now?

[mickey328]

We tried taking a few off, but they just got brown. I guess they couldn't have a middle ground. We cut one up and it seemed kinda gritty. I'm going to try to pick some this weekend and see how they are. Oh well, the goats LOVE them no matter what, so they definitely don't go to waste....

I've had some that ripened and some that didn't. The ones with the green/yellow skins got gritty, but the ones with the red skins seemed to be all right. But then I think the green/yellow (I think they're Bartletts) tend to be a bit gritty anyway.

I was looking for recipes for canning pears today, and ran into a blog (can't tell you which one) that said that pears are one of the few fruits that ripen better OFF the tree. Said to go ahead and pick them hard and let them ripen after picking. I have no actual knowledge or experience, just sayin............

I had an apple tree on my property when I bought it, but it split in half in our first winter freeze. I'm hesitant to plant any fruit trees, even tho I want them, cuz we have so many squirrels here and I'm not sure how I would keep them off the fruit? Anyone with experience?

I'll send you our dog Sam. He's the squirrel chasingest critter you ever saw! They run along our fence and jump into the trees on the OTHER side of it but I never see one in our yard, LOL

Oh, I'm looking to make some almond extract. Can find lotsa sites say soak almonds in Vodka (duh). But only found one site that gave proportions......said equal.......1C blanched, peeled almonds, 1C Vodka. Does this seem like overkill to ya'll? Anyone have experience making this?

I haven't made almond extract, but I do make herbal tinctures and the process seems similar. With herbs, you grind them and then put them in a jar and cover them with alcohol...I use vodka too. The liquid should cover the herbs by about 1/4 inch. I put mine in a cupboard and give it a shake a couple times a day and in 3 or 4 weeks, it's done. Then I strain the solids off by putting a coffee filter in a regular strainer and pouring out the jar and letting it drip through into a clean jar. Easy peasy.

 

[clucksbc]

i think for most extracts it is just straight..with vodka...
but the first time I tryed making almond extract it came out bitter
but I have a batch going...is about a month now and is ivery close to what we know it as...
the secret is almonds with no skin...
and sorry don't remember exact amount...but you need to add some simple syrup...too...
(boiled sugar and water)

 

[rancher hicks]

i think for most extracts it is just straight..with vodka...
but the first time I tryed making almond extract it came out bitter
but I have a batch going...is about a month now and is ivery close to what we know it as...
the secret is almonds with no skin...
and sorry don't remember exact amount...but you need to add some simple syrup...too...
(boiled sugar and water)

Sound to me like a good waste of Vodka.

Forget the extract.

 

[clucksbc]

a friend very kindly gave me a huge tub of pears..they needed to be ripened up but now are wonderfully tasty...
i made two batches bearly made a dent in what we have...
first crock pot caramel pear butter...ok...not amazing..
and working on the process of pear jellys..very tasty...
http://www.learntopreserve.com/the-art-of-preserving/2012/2/26/pear-jelly-candies.html
will post some more recipies if they work out..

 

[mickey328]

Rancher, yer such a brat!

What are we gonna do with you!?

 

[Cryptkeeper]

Today I picked up a ghost chili, a scorpion chili and a black naga king chili at our farmers market. I want to dry them, but I also want to get a piece of flesh off of each to eat. Has anyone tried to hang/air dry any chili peppers after they have been cut? Will this work or will I have to put them in the dehydrator or oven once I cut them open?

 

[rancher hicks]

I did mention I had silkies at one time? You might like to have a look in the coop. I found plans hidden under the wood shavings to build a transmitter and receiver in mine, after I noticed they were spending so much time inside. Don't trust them or turn your back on them. This is me and nuttsy the cat. We never went near the silkies without our head gear.

 

[mickey328]

Very wise, Obi-wan. Is that Nutssy with the glasses?

 

[Happy Chooks]

The pears I got from my mom's friend (I think they are bartletts) were mostly green when I got them. (I got 2 huge boxes full of them) They ripened fine and were ripe enough to start making jams 3 days later. They continued ripening that whole week.

 

[mickey328]

Oh wow...great score! I was able to scrounge lots of pears last fall but seems it just wasn't a good year for pears this year.