Spending some of my teen years in the Appalachian part of
Virginia with other young Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of
America, growing produce, farming and canning was as much a part of daily life
as breathing. I recall spending hours during the summertime popping and
de-stringing over 30 brown grocery bags full of green beans so that we would
have vegetables over the winter. Among other things, we canned regularly:
apples (including apple sauce, sliced apples, apple butter), peaches, carrots,
potatoes and tomatoes in various forms as well. It was hard work and at the
time, being a teen, I did not appreciate the pride of accomplishment nor
understand the need of necessity.
Once I became a mother of my own running a family on a tight
budget, I learned the value of having what I needed with what really was menial
effort and came to appreciate canning. Living in Alaska, many grocery stores
would give bruised or banged up produce not fit for selling to local churches
for their food banks. It was at my church that I would end up with a case of
nearly less than appealing apples, spend hours carving out spoiled spots,
de-coring, peeling skins in preparation for my crock pot apple butter recipe.
The house smelled of cinnamon and baked apple as it simmered for nearly twelve
hours and eventually the jars were filled, labeled and given as gifts
throughout the year. I recalled the days of my youth and my entire seven years
in Alaska, with the help of the “throw away produce” was able to can
carrots, tomato sauce, whole tomatoes, homemade salsa and yes, the dreaded green
beans.
It got to the point that when I would go to the pantry to
pull something for that day’s meal, I dreaded having to use one of MY jars. I
valued the effort I had put into them, they looked beautiful, and I almost
hated to part with them not being part of my pantry.
The truth is, there are tons of simple canning recipe ideas
online and many fruits and vegetables can be canned in a large pot of hot
boiling water in a few minutes. If sauces, salsas, jams and jellies is not your
thing perhaps try some “dry ingredient” jars. For example, layer
Oats, raisins, cinnamon, sugar, etc. and seal with pretty fabric a bow and a
recipe card to just add butter, milk, whatever and baking instructions for the
perfect cookies, bars and treats. As well, many brews, ales, moonshines, etc.
taste better with age so if you start your year with a recipe by holiday time you
can consider your shopping completed way before anyone else has even considered
making their lists. A simple square of pretty fabric and a ribbon, a
personalized label and you have a beautiful way to give a thoughtful gift, a
gift of your time and a gift from your heart. Plus, you could incorporate your
canning or packaging into your “together time” and make the process a
family affair. As an added bonus, every time your delicious gift is consumed
you will come to mind that is always wonderful, especially if miles get in the
way. So, this year y not make an effort to add the phrase “I CAN” to your
vocabulary?