So, my sister-in-law, Ginger, and I decided to do some canning a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time, and it was fun! We realized after the fact that it wasn't super cost effective, but I think my tomatoes look pretty all lined up in my pantry, so it was probably worth it. :)
I'm not sure if I'll ever do it again. But if I did, what should I try next?
I just canned peaches for the first time this year. I thought the exact same thing—not necessarily cost effective but super pretty. I've always wanted to try tomatoes though!
ReplyDeleteApplesauce! I love doing applesauce every fall and then we eat it all year long. If you use sweet apples then you don't have to add any sugar. And I throw a little vanilla into the jars. My kids love it. If you buy apples by the bushel it can be cost effective too.
ReplyDeleteyea I think it's only cost effective if you grow the produce yourself, but of course that is really expensive too! Crisp Pickled Green Beans (recipe on allrecipes.com) is our favorite canned item! If you have a pressure canner, try chicken, it is WAY better than the tin canned stuff and so nice to have on hand for cooking!
ReplyDeleteAfter canning several items of the years, I decided last year that I will only can items that taste better canned, are more cost effective to can and it must be super easy. Beans (pinto, black, etc.) and meat (chicken, beef, sweet pork) are really easy and more cost effective. If you ever want me to show you how, then just let me know. I am happy to help!
ReplyDeleteI love canned salsa--it was SO good we ate all of it before even thinking about a store brand! I also think that even though it's not as cost-effective, it does become more so over the years, and you will LOVE the taste of those tomatoes in chili in the middle of the wintertime! (Check out www.pickyourown.org for some great recipes and tips--with pictures to help:)
ReplyDeleteJust that picture alone makes it worth it, millions spent or not. I've always wanted to try.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is awesome! I've never canned but will be doing some jam with my cousin soon. I'm kind of intimidated by the whole process.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is the queen of knowing which types of canning are cost effective. I'm sure she can fill you in!
ReplyDeleteI have heard that applesauce and tomatoes are not worth it (money-wise). But I think peaches and pears are.
Peaches are pretty easy. Pears are a little harder because you have to peel them with a peeler. However, my little fam doesn't really like canned peaches.
Strawberry freezer jam is easy and cheap. Once you have the jars, they'll last forever... and then it's not too expensive.
ANYWAY... good job. Those tomatoes sure look good!
Used to can all of the time. you are right not to cost effective but the jars look so pretty in the pantry.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a shelf leading downstairs in the kitchen and that is where I displayed them. Maybe you remember in the old house.
Apple pie filling!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely chicken. Yum! I'm going to do other meats soon too.
ReplyDeletePickles! Really easy and fast, no peeling or blanching necessary! AND very cost effective if you can get them at a farmers market. I love this recipe here:
ReplyDeletehttp://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=35704&origin=detail&&Servings=64
Others have alluded to it, but I'm guessing it wasn't a cheap process because you had to buy the jars? If so, then of course the cost in subsequent years will be a fraction of what it was this year. . .as long as you go through the food and then have the jars to reuse. I'm also assuming you did it because someone had overflowing tomato plants. But if you had to buy the tomatoes too, then yeah, cans of Hunt's stewed tomatoes at the grocery store would definitely be cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by all the comments suggesting canning chicken, though. I use lots of recipes that call for pre-cooked chicken, so I always make those recipes on my Costco shopping days, so I can bring home one of their rotisserie chickens and use that. But home-canned chicken would work too, I'm going to have to look into that!