Blueberry jam SCREAMS summertime. I have yet to plant blueberry bushes in our garden, so each summer, we head to local farms and pick fresh blueberries to turn into delicious jam for our pantry shelves. Canning blueberry jam is simple, taking less than an hour and requiring only 4 ingredients. I’m personally a fan of…
Have you ever tried a gooseberry? Until recently, I had never tried one, but when I went to pick at a local orchard, I had to give some a try. My sister mentioned she tried gooseberry jam once, so I set out to try it. It turns out that gooseberry jam is quite a treat!…
Raspberry season is upon us in Ohio, which happens in June and July. I typically buy quarts for fresh eating, but this year, I grabbed extra to make a large batch of raspberry jam. I’m so glad I did! Homemade raspberry jam may be my favorite jam I have made yet, and that’s saying a…
Canning season starts with strawberries in my family. It’s one of the first fruits to produce in our area, and while our strawberry bed doesn’t grow enough yet for our family, I take advantage of local sales and farms. This year, one of the biggest hits in my family is strawberry lemonade concentrate, a delicious,…
Apples are such a great fruit to have in the fall, but their season can feel way too short. I’ve found that preserving apples lets me enjoy their fresh flavor all year long without waste or stress. The best way to preserve apples depends on your needs—freezing, canning, drying, and making apple butter or sauce are…
Do you love zucchini but get overwhelmed by how many fruits your plant produces? I feel you. I love finding zucchini in the garden, but I can only make so much zucchini bread. Zucchini salsa has quickly become a family favorite. I love to preserve what I grow in my garden, creating a pantry full…
Are you tired of the same old jam and jelly recipes you make ALL the time? My family loves different recipes to enjoy on sandwiches and toast throughout the year. Don’t get stuck in a rut; try some of these different jam and jelly recipes. Our family has a few staples we make every year….
Are you new to canning? The best place for new canners to start is water bath canning. It is easy and less intimidating than using a pressure canner. Finding delicious water bath canning recipes to make is so simple; there are hundreds of recipes! I’m not lying; there are hundreds of recipes. Take some time…
Winter time is when citrus fruits go on sale in most grocery stores. My kids love the little plastic cups of mandarin oranges, but they are pricey and have way too much sugar. Canning oranges for my kids is one way I give them healthier snacks on a budget. Oranges are a high-acid food, so…
Potatoes are a staple food in our diets, but potatoes only last so long in the pantry. Whether you grow potatoes in your garden or find a deal at the grocery store, canning potatoes extends the shelf-life and makes dinner faster and easier. It’s no secret that our family loves potatoes. We eat fries, mashed…
