A few weeks ago I reviewed Sherri Brooks Vinton’s Put ‘Em Up!, and shared some photos and the recipe for the delicious Radish Relish we (my older son and I) made.
I shared some with my friend Donna, who agreed that the taste and texture was amazing; we sent her home with a jar and she said she snacked on it all week. She was hooked and wanted to know more! Lucky Donna, last weekend the author was at a local farm, and she went to watch a demo and talk with her. Of course she got her own copy of the book and is now eager to Put ‘Em Up – she’s already made fruit leather from blueberries she picked with her sons (the verdict = yum!).
My older son is ‘home-camping’ with me this summer. Instead of going away to camp, or attending a local day camp, he’s been hanging out with friends … and Mom. We’ve had some quiet relaxing time, some fun outings, and some household projects to keep us busy.
This canning project was both fun for us and good for the family – we’ll be enjoying Radish Relish, Beet Relish (oh-my-gosh-yum with fresh orange juice and pulp!), and Spicy Carrots. My son enjoyed making fancy labels for each of the jars, complete with storage and ‘use by’ instructions; he was a little disappointed that I didn’t have extra fabric lying around, so we could cover the lids with an extra homey touch!
The first day we canned, I found the canning process to be more nerve-wracking than I had expected; I was more comfortable the second day, getting into a rhythm and timing the prep work better. I set up the canning area just like the diagram in Put ‘Em Up!, which kept things moving smoothly. Also, having only one child (and it was one helpful child) home with me made it manageable; I can’t imagine doing it with all four kids home, talking to me, asking questions, and wanting to be involved. For anyone with the slightest curiosity about canning, I encourage you to give it a try!
Even though I don’t can anymore, I really need to see this book. All your jars look so pretty and the pickles and preserved food sound yummy.
It sounds like you and your home camper had a great time! With our small family, canning seems to be more trouble than it’s worth to me.
Oo! They look beautiful! The spicy carrots sound delicious!
I canned some tomato sauce last night and plan to make some Blueberry Lime Jelly today. Isn’t canning so much fun?
Last night was so much fun, we really should try to do it again. Thanks for co-hosting with me!
I never canned anything. The only experience I have with preserving food is making jam. The book sounds interesting though. Thanks for the recommendation.
I got that book recently too and have made the Dilled Carrots. I think the next thing I’m going to try is the Ginger Peach Jam, since peaches are in season and we might go picking soon!
I have never canned anything…but my grandmother used to make bread and butter pickles and chow chow and I would really like to figure out how to make them.
plus, I love pickles.
Very cool that you and your son can get to do these types of things together. My daughter might like to do this with me, but my son is much more the couch potato kind! Glad also to see that your book is being put to good use!
Beth F – I need to move beyond pickled items; next we hope to make a jam or sweet chutney.
Kathy – it was a lot of work, but the second round was easier. And hopefully the reward will be worth it when we open the food over the winter.
Heather – I loved the viewalong! I had to disconnect as soon as the movie ended, though; kids were antsy. Your blueberry-lime jam sounds wonderful.
Rikki – we hope to make some type of jam and a salsa this week.
Michael – what a great family project –> picking, then jamming. Yum!
caite – I made the bread & butter pickles in PUT ‘EM UP and they are better than store bought. Chow-chow is like picklelilly isn’t it, with corn? There may be a recipe similar to your grandmother’s in this book, give it a look.
zibilee – he’d be a couch potato if I let him! He chose not to go to camp this summer, so we’ve been working our way thru a list of projects.
Can you believe I’ve never seen anyone can anything before?