No, I am not talking about dancing in cancan skirts although I am sure we would look great. lolI have never canned in my life but am curious how to. I get so many tomatoes and give them away but I still have some left and need to use them before they spoil. I asked my friend Kim (different Kim) is she can teach me how and she said yes.
A quick drive to her lovely home and we get into action right away. I had some tomatoes but not enough to fill up another quart jar. She was so nice that she game me hers that she picked that morning! She also gave me some pickles to can! Yup, she is nice!
So after some blanching, peeling, packing and boiling, I got 2 quart jars and one pint jar. I was too afraid to squish my tomatoes in but as you can see, there is a gap at the bottle of 2 of the jars. I know what to do next time so no biggie.
So after some blanching, peeling, packing and boiling, I got 2 quart jars and one pint jar. I was too afraid to squish my tomatoes in but as you can see, there is a gap at the bottle of 2 of the jars. I know what to do next time so no biggie.
See it looks packed right? Especially the small one but as you can later one, it wasn't enough!
For the pickles, we cold packed them then sealed them. I have 6 quarts jars. Three are slices and three are intact. I chose the smaller ones to stay intact so that we can snack on our cornichon (gherkin pickle).
She made lunch for us and the kids played in the pool. Such a sweetie! Speaking of pool, my son didn't want to wet his shorts so he took them of...including underwear! Oh Dear Lord! He did put his shorts back on but that was the first time he has ever taken out his clothes in public. Child has no shame! lol
After our goodbyes, I drove home to my lovely jars. I now know what to do and can't wait to try it out again! Thanks Kim for being such a great friend!
Sorry for the blurry pics. I am still learning how my camera works. lol
A Bientot!
10 comments:
You just boil it, peel it and that's it? I'd like to do that too... email me the receipt, please, please, please!!!!!
Bon Weekend a toi!
Je t'embrasse.
I just love to see jars of home canned goodies sitting on the shelf. I think they are so lovely. to me they are not only yummy but also very decorative!!
Happy Friday!
Jackie
I'm so impressed! I made plum jam once years ago and have been afraid to try to can again - it really is that easy?
I love this post and photos! I spent every weekend of my life with my grandmother and at 12 went to live with her. She worked full-time for the government and lived in the city, but every summer she canned 250 quarts of tomatoes, made the best hot garlic pickles and as she called it, "put up" green beans, relish, salsa, jams, jellies, and many other yummy things we enjoyed all winter long. As a young girl, it felt like torture before she had air conditioning. Thanks for bringing back those lovely memories of my grandmother and how she found ways to economically raise her children and then grandchildren on her income and feed us well. Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment for me, it was very thoughtful of you.
xo Susi xo
you and kim can can! so happy to see the kids together!!!! and also the two of you.
Now this is my friend's way of doing it. So you blanch the tomatoes (put them in boiling water until the skin cracks then put them in cold water). You peel off the skin and put the in a clean hot jar. Has to be hot. You then add boiling water (not from the blanching) until you have an 1" of space from the top. Wipe clean the jar opening. Boil the lids then place them on the jar opening. Take rings and screw the top on. Now in another large stock pot, with boiling water, place the jars gently in for 45 minutes. Take them out and if some lids are still a bit popped, just wait. It'll pop back in and be sealed.
For the pickles, hot clean bottles, add pickles, seasoning, hot boiling water, boiled lid on top, screw the ring in and that's it. It should seal right away or within a few hours. Mine did.
We didn't add salt. I buy my canned tomatoes with no salt added whenever I can. I will use one jar soon and see how it taste. ;)
I will email you Celia. :)
Jules, it seems to me. I may try to crack open a canning book that I got last year and actually read it. lol So maybe I will post my other canning adventures! lol
Forgot to say to add some lemon juice for the tomatoes! You will need that. ;)
Also, half an inch not one inch. ;) Typing too quickly!
Awe, look at Jenna & Christopher. SO CUTE! I'm jealous you got to hang out with Happy Kim!
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