The Vicky Challenge. Preserving.

I hope you had a week of savings and opportunities.  Because I am in Australia and we are in summer this is fruit season.  I thought this weeks subject should be preserving.  Now there are many ways to make the most of and not waste any fruit or produce that comes your way.  When I have fruit everything else is put on hold as fruit does not usually wait!

This year I finally learned to water bath can.  So it took me long enough!  And I love it!  I have always made jams, relishes and things like Lemon Curd, I have dried lots of herbs and fruit.  But never canned!  I had help and encouragement from friends to get started.  One of them was Vicky!  She helped me so much.  She has written something for you.  This might help anyone new to canning to get up and running!

Let's talk canning! 

Some of us are old hats at this, but for the beginners or anyone who would like to start, but haven't yet maybe we can change your mind. 

First: canning or bottling are just loose terms we use, but there are different processes to them. Some of us say we "put up" something and again it's just a loose term. 

Why can? Many reasons! From adding to pantry, making sure all of the juicy goodness we grow, forage or are gifted doesn't go to waste before we can use it all, convenience, to save money and control what is in some of our food and offset the costs of organic food. 

There are 3 methods - water bathing, pressure canning and steam canning. 

We will look at the water bath method first. 

This method is for foods that are acidic or enough acid can be introduced to safely can it. For example tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauce,  pizza sauce, bbq sauce, fruits,  relishes and pickled foods like cucumber pickles and pickled peppers. The relishes and pickled foods generally have vinegar which makes them acidic enough to water bath can. An acidic environment inhibits bacteria growth. 

There is some initial investment to canning and some thereafter like lids, but we can keep the costs down by accepting free jars and getting the best deals on lids and rings or caps and clips. I've found many at yard sales and thrift stores. 

Granite ware pots are usually what is used and come in different sizes, but a heavy stock pot deep enough that your jars can be covered with water will do. And this is why it's called the water bath method. Your jars of food are boiled in the water for a certain length of time to ensure that not only is the jar sealed, but to become hot enough to kill off any bacteria if any is present which is usually from dirt believe it or not so make sure what your canning is washed really well.  You cannot see botulism. Also a funnel and jar lifter are helpful. 

Do you want to try canning and haven't yet? Water bathing is so easy and a good start. Tomatoes are so easy and can be used in so many ways. so if your wanting to add to your pantry like Nana did this would be one of the ways. Another plus is if you are able to can,  is if the next year's garden isn't good or there is some income loss it is security. It is also becomes one of the items we don't have to buy at the grocery store unless we choose to as a back up. 

I recommend starting off with a batch of something easy just to get the hang of maybe some tomatoes or applesauce? Also when you do can some foods eat them! Don't just leave them on the shelf or toss them later use them up otherwise you will not know what you like or dislike. As long as your fruits and veggies are washed well and you follow the proper canning time and instructions there is no limit to what you can do in your own kitchen! 

XOXO

Vicky 

Canning for me was like soap making.  Everything I was worried about turned out to be easy.  So then I was thinking "why oh why did I take so long to start!"

So if this is something that would help you make the most of fruit that comes your way then put the word out that you are starting! I did this and jars in all shapes and sizes began to come my way then even a canner!   Ball and Fowlers Vacola have very easy to follow instructions and videos on their web sites.

If you make the most of any produce you can get your hands on this will likely last you for many months.  Sometimes we have to learn new recipes and new ways to set something to good use.  It can be a new challenge.  I am waiting to see what I end up with this season.  I am thinking I will have a lot of apples, quinces and figs.  But you just never know what else.   I am happy to make jams, relish, sauces,  can some, make pies, cobblers, crumbles, muffins,  dry some for snacks...   Also I am happy to put everything aside and work all day and into the night if needed... which sometimes is if you have soft fruit and time is running out!  

There are many ways to preserve the fresh produce of the season.  I think many of us have been heavily dependant on the freezer, I know I have.  Then we have the issue of the freezer is full!  The power goes off!   So I think the more we can diversity the way we preserve the better.  Canning is going to save me a lot of freezer space.  It is also going to be find if we have an extended power outage.  My dried foods are also in this category.  So there is an advantage to having your jars ready to fill.

I have had great success with just putting the word out that I want to can and  that I am looking for supplies.   I say do this with the fact that you are wanting fruit and produce too!   Ask and you shall receive!  If you see fruit falling to the ground knock at the door and ask to pick it.   

The other day Mum and I were driving to see the girls.  As we turned a corner of a little country road I spotted an apple tree!    Covered in small apples!   It is not on private property but the road side.  You can be betting I will be inspecting it each week and hoping to pick the apples!  I never go anywhere without a basket in my car!

What are your favourite methods of preserving?   Do you have something in abundance each year that could be put to better advantage?   Also do you have any tips on saving money on preserving equipment or methods? This is an area we can really save and get ahead in.

Now for my own Vicky Challenge this week.

I was given two large pot plants and 21 rooted cuttings of succulents and Aloe Vera plants.    So this week was wonderful as far as my "stop buying pot plants" challenge.   I estimate all of this would have usually cost around $230 to buy at our local nursery.  You can bet I am counting these savings!
I also got busy the minute I got home and planted it all and water them in.  Now we have had all this rain I think my new plants will take off.  It was a lot to add to the garden in one week and I filled some bare spots.

I saved $36 on coffee.

My sachets cost around $1 each to make (for the lavender) and a few cents each for the rose.   When I convert them to gift value the savings are just enormous.  Pretty lavender sachets in the gift store are at least $10 each and I have seem them up to $30.  Then I think the value of having gifs in the cupboard rather than rushing to the store is a saving too.  When we need a gift, and fast, I think this is when it is easy to totally blow the budget!

My homemade pizzas were so very cheap and a big savings there.

My 7 dozen eggs for the week save at least $30 a week even considering chicken feed.  I turn this saving into more by bartering with my eggs and making so many homemade goodies.

The essential oil roller balls and sprays I made up were a significant saving.  Now I am set up each time I make up a roller I am probably saving close to $30.  I can make up a set as a gift that might be worth $100 from an Essential Oil website or shop yet it has cost me a tenth or less of that price.

How did your challenge go?  
I am so happy to catch up as I felt my internet might never work again!  But I think it was just so much storm and electrical activity that took it out!   I will get a bit of sewing in this afternoon and make an impossible pie for dinner.  I call that a good day! xxx