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Ok it's way off winter with this heat but trying to eat produce I've grown all year I have started saving jars and trying to fill my larder/allotment shelf with allotment produce
I've got a big store of empty jars but nothing in them yet but I am planning to dry store potatoes, onions, garlic and squashes as well as having a freezer full of loads of things and jars of jams, chutneys, passata etc.
Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.
My freezers are full mainly with fruit , but I do make a fair bit of jam ....... keep squeezing in the odd bag of broadies and peas ready for the winter .....
S*d the housework I have a lottie to dig a batch of jam is always an act of creation ..Christine Ferber
The only harvest so far here is garlic, salad and herbs. Herbs are drying for drinks, remedies & cooking, garlic too. Cabbages won't be long. Carrots are teeny.
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.
If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
I made a jar of pickled shallots today, put up for Christmas. All sorts of jams are made and in the larder. Made pineapple jam today, not a good set, but will be nice on ice cream etc
I tried pickling toms last year, but have to say I didn't really like the results - too salty and too vinegary for me. So this year I'm roasting and pureeing them to freeze (in ice cube trays, so I can take out a little or a lot).
Pickled Cuecamelons, just one jar!
Also on the larder shelving so far this autumn :- Peach conserve, Peach and Chilli Chutney, Garden Chutney and 8 large jars tomato sauce.
Plus umpteen jars Strawberry Jam from earlier in summer and a few jars of
Summer Pudding Jam ( that's strawbs,cherries, raspbs and redcurrants).
ooh and Redcurrant Chilli Jelly too.
Will have to take a pic of the shelves!
I tried pickling toms last year, but have to say I didn't really like the results - too salty and too vinegary for me. So this year I'm roasting and pureeing them to freeze (in ice cube trays, so I can take out a little or a lot).
My freezer is absolutely LOADED tubs of tomato passata so this is a bit of an experiment. It's the first year I've tried them, so will be interested to see what they are like in three months time. I've made the vinegar pretty sweet and there is no salt added to this recipe, so fingers crossed. Still lots more tomatoes to come. Am going down the oven-drying-and-storing-in-oil route next!
When the Devil gives you Cowpats - make Satanic Compost!
Couldn't be simpler!
Dissolve sugar in the vinegar. How much sugar is up to your "sweet" preference - as is the type of vinegar (I used distilled white with pickling spice infused in it, but white wine or cider would be nice too)
Choose ripe but firm fruits.
Wash and dry gently.
Prick in a couple of places to allow vinegar to penetrate.
Pack into sterilized jars with sprigs of your choice of herb.(I used Bay Leaves, Thyme and Rosemary)
Fill right to the top with sweetened vinegar, making sure the tomatoes are completely submerged and there are no air pockets.
Seal with vinegar-proof lids.
They'll be ready after 4-6 weeks, but should improve with keeping. Shelf life, one year.
Store in a cool, dark place
When the Devil gives you Cowpats - make Satanic Compost!
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