Gardening

No garden this year so I'm going to the farmer's markets to get my produce. There are a LOT of family farms around here that have gone organic and, as I live in a Mediterranean climate, the variety of locally-grown, organic produce is almost unlimited. Although I can all year my summer canning is probably 70% of my yearly canning. I'm about half-way there this summer. Lots done already but lots left to do.

Here's what I've done so far this year:

Canned tomatoes
Savory Salsa (entering into the Fair)
Mango Jelly (Fair)
Peach Butter (Fair)
Yellow Tomato and Basil Jelly
Pickled Yellow Pear Tomatoes
Marinara Sauce
Bread and Butter Pickles
Orange Marmalade
Strawberries (not recommended -- freezing is a better storage option)


Still to do:
Canned Tomatoes
Peach Jelly (Fair)
Peach Jam (Fair)
Pickled Peppers
Plum Jelly (Fair)
Plum Jam (Fair)


Additionally, I purchased a Ball Canning book a couple of years back and I've since learned you can can almost anything. I used to make stock (chicken, veggie, beef) and freeze it but now I just can. Same thing with beans.

Anyway, I'm in canning mode most of the summer and try to can two different things on Wednesdays and Saturdays (farmers market days).

It stocks me up for the winter which allows me to spend FAR less money on groceries throughout the winter months. Besides, I just LOVE to can.

LTH