What are you putting up?

[Gingergirl]

So what is everyone putting up now?

Here, the first of the corn and green beans are in. I put up alot of these. Canning the green beans and cut corn right now.

We are also awash in blueberries. I've frozen some for baking. Hope to make syrup.
Need to dry some for the granola. Almost out of last years supply.

Also drying my herbs, mostly thyme and basil. Need to get the southport onions in the dehydrator too.

How about where you are?

 

[A.T.Hagan]

Shortly I'll be doing pears. Lots and lots and lots of pears.

Probably could be doing some right now, but I've got a hen house that needs finishing.

Persimmons look like they'll be another few weeks and the muscadines didn't make much this year. Brought plenty of blueberries home from the Hagan farm this year and it looks like next year we may have enough from our own bushes to put some up.

.....Alan.

 

[HoofTrimmer]

Tons of apples and pears. Figs as well.

Can't wait to get to the turkeys, they still have to grow up. They are becoming a royal pita.

HoofTrimmer

 

[Lady in Ash]

Just finished canning chix-ala-king and chix broth. Blueberries in the freezer. Really chomping at the bit for the tons and tons of tomatoes.

Read a recipe yesterday for marinated mushrooms that sounds good - might have to try it if I get the time.

 

[Deena in GA]

The blueberries have done extremely well this year here. We have put seven gallons in the freezer along with what we've eaten - and that's a lot! LOL I hope to do some blueberry syrup this week after we pick more berries. The corn is all in the freezer. I have tomato sauce cooking now to can in just a bit. Need to start on the pears, but I don't know if I'll have time today. I love canning and putting stuff up for the coming year. The butter peas look like they'll be ready for me to start picking and canning in the next day or two. Makes me feel very pioneerish, LOL!

 

[Deemy]

Just red beets so far.

 

[auntnuts]

So far this year, I have put up.....cherries, blueberries, lots of corn, green beans, canned some cheese, dried herbs, onions and zucchini.

I have peaches on the way, and my neighbors pear tree is loaded agin this year.
I want to can some peach halves and make peach butter. I'm gonna can some of the pears in light syrup, but want to make some pear sauce(like applesauce) too.

Now that the search function works again, I want to find the thread on uses for pears........there was a lot of good stuff on that thread.

Then we get into the tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and such. I cook my tomatoes down all day before canning them,making a nice thick sauce. I will be making some salsa too. The cabbage will be used to make saurkraut.

I am trying to get as much done as i can before school starts back up.

Oh and the plums will be ready real soon. I made plum preserves last year and they were yummy. Corn cob jelly is a yearly must too.

Gee.........i better get busy

 

[Tadpole]

With my small "toy" gardens, I'm just growing enough to eat this year except for the tomatoes, which I am dehydrating. I may have enough pole beans to can up a few jars.

I will be dehydrating rosemary, cilantro, scallions, thyme, basil, and will try dehydrating savory this year for the first time.

Earlier this year I made plum preserves from our Japanese plum trees, pineapple mint jelly from pineapple mint, jelly from wild blackberries and jam from wild blueberries.

Our fig trees didn't bear this year. Apparently they need fertilizer.

I will be canning collards, turnip greens and mustard greens from my fall garden this year though.

And, since I am feeling a bit insecure, I will can up some more butter.

 

[seraphima]

Salmonberry-rhubarb jelly ( about 21 quarts so far), frozen blueberries, chives, frozen fish- salmon, halibut, etc. Various herbs like arnica, mint, etc.

Our garden is delayed by the cold weather and constant rains. However, perhaps it will be a good year for mushrooms!

 

[Gingergirl]

seraphima,

I remember the salmon berries that greww off the deck when we lived in Gig Harbor, Wash. But it is the Cascade Blackberries that I can still savour in my mind. The pies, the jam, the syrup; nothing else compared that year.

I also remember going down to the dock and getting halibut for $0.29/# and salmon for $0.49/# when I was paying $3.99/# for steak. We ate alot of fish that year.

 

[pkchicken]

at this point, the beets are done, snopeas are done.there's a lul in the greenbeans while they set up the second blossom.

Tomatos are getting canned and dehydrated,
Basil, oregano,lemonbalm and mint getting dehydrated and made into pesto.
green peppers getting frozen and dehydrated,and eaten too

did I mention we try to eat in season?

Somethings wrong with the zuchini, they blossom but we haven't had as much fruit as we should.....Do ya think the wild rabbits are eating the blossoms?

Blackberries are going strong now and I'll make jam if I can keep enough from my blackberry loving brother-in -law.

moles or something have been messing with the roots of my swiss chard, I've been dehydrating the chard. Now there's a wicked brown spot thingy on the outer leaves....looks bad for the chard.

The table grapes are slowly ripening but they wont survive to get to the table as they are a favorite "wandering around in the yard after dinner" snack ..right off the vine.

cukes have done well, we are eating them right away....I give up on pickles, mine don't turn out as I'd like.

the onions are done and drying in the woodshed, dunno if they'll make it to winter Ive been eating and cooking with them like they're going out of style.

the okra!!! best year we've had for okra. Tried some okra pickles.....we shall see.
Froze some ate some, can't give 'em away lol.

I won't make salsa this year, I still have a few cases from last year.

pk

 

[Tadpole]

PK chicken, speaking of okra, I tried dwarf okra this year that was only supposed to grow 18" tall. Mine is 4-1/2'!

 

[pkchicken]

How tall is okra supposed to get? The regular kind I mean....we've never had okra so tall and I don't think the season is near over.

pk

 

[Tadpole]

PK, I'm not sure how tall it is supposed to get. I read somewhere the other day that someone's okra is 8' tall.

I think normal is somewhere between 3-1/2' - 6' depending on the variety. This dwarf is taller than the regular Clemson spineless I usually grow.

 

[blueberry]

I have put up lots of squash, pickles and figs. I didn't get any green beans put up becasue I either ate them fresh, or gave them away. So.... I planted more Other veggies were just eaten fresh.

My pear trees are loaded, but they are all "fall" pears, so are not quite ready yet.

My largest pear tree is in my front yard. I often see a child sneak up in my yard, take a pear, and walk away eating it - I always thought it was cute. Many times people will knock on my door, and ask if they can pick some pears....I usually hand them a sack

Over the weekend, I heard my dog barking out the front window, and went to see what was going on. Three little boys, about 4 to 8, were grabbing pears as fast as they could, throwing them at each other, and into the street. They broke a lot of branches in process. They fled when I stepped out onto the porch - wish I knew where they lived. I have never minded sharing, but that was just wasteful.

I look forward to the pears being ready. I will dry them, make jam, can them in light syrup, and pickle them. I am going to try cinnamon pears this year.

 

[booger]

You're all making me so jealous!

Blackberries are done for now. I only got about a quart frozen. Everyone ate all of the rest before I could get them put up.

Tomatoes--we have over 80 plants, all producing, and not a single one left over to put up. I had to fight my kids over a few to get seeds from. I need to get some salsa in the freezer and want to try dehydrating some so I'll have to come up with better ways to hide them.

I'm just about ready to try, for the second time, drying my some of my herbs. My first batch was a complete flop but, thanks to you all here, I think I know what I'm doing now.

First batch of onions have already been dried. The last bunch is drying right now.

I didn't get near as many things planted this year as I wanted to, due to starting the gardens from scratch here on the new place. There is plenty of squash growing right now, though, so there will be plenty to store for winter. I'm still hoping to get some cukes and zukes planted but I'll probably have to fight to the death to save any for putting up. We all love those fresh and I never seem to plant enough. Potatoes should be nearly ready to harvest but it's my first time growing potatoes so I don't know how well I did or how many there will be.

I'm going to be much more organized and prepared for spring next year! (Famous last words, huh? )

 

[Gingergirl]

Booger,

I dried a batch of onions yesterday. Even with the dehydrator in the garage, there were howls of complaints over the "smell."

80 tomato plants! and here I was so proud of my magnificent 30.

Good luck with the herbs. Looks like we are going to have a bumper crop of thyme this year.

 

[auntnuts]

I just dried cucumbers. The books and websites say to dry them til they are leathery, but I left them in a little longer til they got crisp. Now I have cuke chips.........they have a great taste, and they will be lots more healthy for the kids than regular potato chips

 

[Tadpole]

Auntnuts, I have always wanted to ask someone who actually had dried cucumbers how long they keep?

That's another thing I haven't tried....yet!

 

[Gingergirl]

AFOAF dried cukes and zukes, sprinkling the slices with herbs and spices before dying. Taco flavor was our favorite.

 

[blueberry]

Gingergirl,

That sound great. I want to try it with my zukes. Do you steam or blanch the zukes first, or just dry them raw?

 

[Gingergirl]

Blueberry,

For chips, just raw.

Be warned, the "book" says they will not keep more than a month if not stored in the freezer. Mine never lasted more than a few days, so I can't say for sure.

 

[blueberry]

Thank you! I have zukes in my garden now! I am going to try the Taco flavor first

 

[auntnuts]

Well..........I just got a bushel of peaches, so I know what I'll be doing tomorrow

 

[Tadpole]

My first batch of dehydrated cucumbers is almost ready... past leathery, not quite brittle.

I am really surprised at the flavor. Concentrated and kind of sweet!

I didn't want to make pickles, so this is a fun way to get rid of the cucumbers that are piling up in my refrigerator.

Thanks for the idea, Auntnuts!

 

[auntnuts]

Tadpole, I sat and ate mine by dipping them in sour cream.....mmmmmmmmmm

 

[Tadpole]

Auntnuts, I do wish you hadn't told me that! I was looking forward to being oh so virtuous and eating healthy..... now I will not be able to resist trying them with sour cream!!!!

Veering OT for a minute. I had been thinking it would be a good idea to get a juicer and juice veggies to help build up my immune system. It occurred to me that I can do the same thing with eating dehydrated vegetable and fruit snacks! And it's lots more fun than drinking glasses of stuff that's "good for me."

 

[Sarrah]

I finally harvested enough to put something by.
Zucchini, and that is fine by me. I grated a couple of big ones that got away on me and then thick sliced a few more. I'm putting them into the dehydrator and possibly they will be finished by tomorrow.

The wild blackberries are just coming on strong now. I have to go find a clean area to pick from. I'm new to this area so I'm not sure. Lots of plants on the road ways but I don't like to pick from there. Often in this county the road edges are spayed for weeds and I don't want any run off from pavement.
So far we have had one cuke to eat and more growing. My first tomato is turning red so that should start the rush.

Has anyone canned blackberries? Not jam or anything just the straight berry like you can strawberries. I may try a test jar or two I'd like the fresh berries over the winter. I'm also wondering if any one has dehydrated them. I may put some in there and see how they are after I rehydrate them. Any experience with this?
No freezer here so can't do that.

 

[Tadpole]

Sarrah, I have never canned blackberries. I have heard of canning them, but I bet it would be awfully watery. I have also heard of canning the juice -- some can the juice and make jelly with it later which doesn't make a lot of sense to me!

My thoughts are that if you dehydrated blackberries, all you would end up with are the seeds.

Maybe someone who has actually tried canning and dehydrating blackberries will show up with a better answer.

I admire your experimenting with new things!

Edited to add.... blackberry syrup and cobbler fillings are other uses I can think of, but they involve a lot of sugar.

 

[Sarrah]

I admire your experimenting with new things!

Edited to add.... blackberry syrup and cobbler fillings are other uses I can think of, but they involve a lot of sugar.

Tadpole trying new things and learning new things is my attempt at preventing Alzheimers. Use it or lose it theory. I also enjoy the things I do.

I think your right I'd end up with a jar of blackberry juice on top and seeds on the bottom.
The dehydrating may go better. The only info I found on the web said "you can't do it"
but... I'll try it myself first. I really want some berries without syrups etc. if I am able.

 

[blueberry]

I have canned blackberries, and they held up fine. I used a heavy syup, (that might have helped hold them together), and then processed them in the water bath canner.

I was doing this for another lady. She had a ton of blackberries, and gave me half if I would can them for her. I believed she used them in pies and cobblers. I froze most of my share, and made jam with some.

I love everyone's attitude about trying new things

I have learned so much from this board!

 

[Gingergirl]

My peaches are coming in!

Small crop this year. Less than a bushel. Now I have to decide if I'm just going to can or dehydrate them.

 

[Tadpole]

Gingergirl, if I had tree ripened peaches, I would probably eat a bushel fresh. It has been SO long since I had a decent peach. The ones you buy are awful!!!!

Enjoy a few for me!

 

[blueberry]

I am finally trying the taco flavored dehydrated zucchini and cucumber chips. I have plenty of zukes and cukes, but did not have any taco seasoning

I was not sure how much of the seasoning to put on each slice, or how intense the flavor would be afterwards, so I made three three trays with the slices coated light, medium and heavy.

Now for the hard part..... waiting till they are ready

 

[Tadpole]

I am discovering that I don't like cucumber chips as much as I did at first. Mine have a pronounced bitterness. I dried small cucumbers as I rarely let them get to full size because we enjoy eating them small better. I wonder if that made a difference?

I am thinking that the dehydrated cucumbers might be better chopped up in a food processor and added to other veggies and herbs and used as a salad sprinkle...

Or maybe... back to making bread and butter pickles?

 

[blueberry]

The taco flavored zucchini chips are in the dehydrator, and my house smells like a Mexican food restaurant!

For the moment, it smells wonderful, and is making me think of Mexican food for supper tonight. But I have a feeling I will get tired of it very soon.

I am trying to think of a new place to put the dehydrator. The garage is an idea, but no electricity in the garage

 

[Sarrah]

When you gals dehydrate the peaches do you put something on them first? Peel them? Method please. A friend offered me some and I'd like to try drying some.
My zucchini batch is all nicely dehydrated and packaged up and put away. I'll do some more as soon as they are ready.
Today we made a trip out and found a patch of blackberries. Not full on yet but enough if we can find a spot that isn't on a cliff. Makes it a big adventure.
So, tomorrow I'll can a few jars. I took out my fav canning book and low and behold it gave me the processing time for the berries. Duh as the kids use to say.
I'm also going to put a few in the dehydrator and see how that goes. DH said he wants a big feed of them with cream so that will finish off that lot. Have to go get some more.
I dug up and cooked some potatoes tonight. They were good. It was a volunteer plant from last year. I didn't plant any this year.

I am digging a hole in the ground not a very big hole but it will take me another day or two to finish. I'm not much of a digger. Kinda dig dig... rest... dig dig... rest. So I have to go down 3 feet and I'm at 2. Didn't think this old granny could do that. But the last foot is the hardest so I'll see how many days to finish. I think near the end I'm going to have to lay down to get the dirt out but I'll see. It is only about 2 foot square, or as square as I can get it. DH is in turn building a Jim Dandy compost bin. In fact it resembles a badly built fort. But who am I to say. I told him I'll dig the hole, you build the compost bin.
He has only said nice things about my hole digging I better shut up with the smart remarks about his compost bin.

 

[Gingergirl]

Peaches:

Use tree ripe peaches.
Wash and peel. (Scald if necessary.) Remove pits.
Slice into 1/2 inch slices. Hold in solution of 1 tsp ascorbic acid per quart or 1 1/4 tsp sodium bisulfite per quart water.
Pre-treat 5 to 15 min in a solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons sodium bisulfite per gallon water. Rinse.
Dry at 150 deg. for 2 to 3 hours, 130 degrees till dry.

from DeLong's book

I have found that tree ripe peaches are easy to peel without blanching. Just nick the peel and pull the skin off.
No one in our family is sensitive to sulfite, so I use it. It retains the beautiful natural color of the peaches and improves storage time.

Good luck.

 

[Sarrah]

I'm allergic to sulfite so I'll have to try the ascorbic acid I guess. Where do you get it?

 

[Gingergirl]

Sarrah,

Ascobic acid is basicly vitamin C. You crush the tablets or buy it in powder form...health food store. This will keep the peaches from darkening when first cut, but not through the drying process. (I tried that.)

DeLong suggests syrup blancing as an alternative:

Prepare a sugar syrup of 1 cup sugar, 1 cup white corn syrup, and 2 cups water. Boil. Add 1 1/2 pounds of prepared fruit. (peeled, sliced and held in water with asorbic acid.) Simmer 5 minutes. Drain and rinse lightly with cold water. Dry as before.

This will give you good color with a sweeter and softer texture. Great for snacking, cereal, and in muffins. Will not rehydrate well for pie fillings, etc. They are very nice, just a bit more work and take longer to dry. If you try this out, let me know how you like the results.