Fall and Canning
Tony — Wed, 10/15/2008 - 7:13pm
It struck her about two weeks ago. We had found a roadside vegetable garden and shed just down the road toward Pilot Hill. You know, the kind with baskets piled with heirloom tomatoes, a box with a scrawled note saying "Please pay here", and outside rows of tomato plants, corn, peppers, squash, and further up the side of the hill apple and pear trees. Then down the road just a bit further we discovered an Asian family tending an acre or so of strawberries. Astounding - October, and there were fresh, sweet, strawberries. Hilda got this silly grin that hasn't left since, and dozen after dozen of quart and pint Mason jars have covered the breakfast table and are marching out across the floor. Today she sent me down for more tomatoes and jars. She is focused.
But we are not complaining, Tanner and I. We have been enjoying fresh salsa, tomato soup, fresh peaches, apple sauce and apple butter. "Tony, taste this strawberry jam", "Do these peaches need any sugar?", "Try this apple butter on that English muffin".
We are enjoying nature's (and Hilda's) bounty.
Ah, peaches...
Dana — Thu, 10/16/2008 - 8:47pmThanks for the great post and fabulous picture. I bet Tanner's a big help. I wish I'd jumped on the season's bounty when I had the chance. I learned this summer that I (and Little Tony) LOVE O'Henry peaches. Not yellow peaches or cling peaches or whatever other kind there are. O'HENRY peaches. I learned this thanks to the 60-ish, grizzled, jeans and tank-top sporting farmer occupying the third booth from the end at our farmer's market. Every Saturday he sold many varieties of peaches for a mere 2 bucks a pound and doled out decidedly left wing political observations for free with his raspy east coast accent. He couldn't have been 90lbs soaking wet, about 5-1/2 feet tall, and devoted to his peaches. All his peach crates were labeled clearly so you knew what variety they were. To everyone and no one in particular he'd crow: "Here! Try one on me! Can the kid have one? Watch the pit!! Life's short! Eat more peaches! Don't worry folks, with any luck the suffering will be over come November!" By the time it occurred to me that Little T would be sorely displeased when the peaches were gone, and that HEY I could maybe can them, the peaches were indeed gone. I showed up two Saturdays ago and he had four sad peaches he gave away for free. "Bruisers! You like a smoothie?" Then "One more picking!" he promised all his sad customers. Last Saturday I showed up and his stall was empty. Goodbye, Peach Man, we'll be waiting for you! Sorry, Little T...
M-m-m
Barbara — Fri, 10/17/2008 - 8:10amThat looks so yummy! I did get to do a bit of canning this year. I need to get a good salsa recipe as I have protected my tomatoes from the elements thus far and could probably get a jar or two. I made good use of the apple tree for canning and buttering and freezing. Have also made a few jars of mango-apricot-jalapeno jelly. Good stuff. My hat is off to you Hilda; what dedication!
Carol - Those of you that
Carol — Fri, 10/17/2008 - 11:47amCarol - Those of you that have the time to do all this canning have my admiration. I guess it's more like the inspiration to do the canning. That was one thing I never did get into. I tried pickles once and they were horrible. You all amaze me! Next year Dana, you'll be ready if the grizzled old guy is still around. love to all, carol
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