My jelly did not set up, what did I do wrong? Has this ever happened to you? You’ve followed a recipe exactly and then after the jelly cooled; it looks like pretty colored syrup. It could be any number things and here are a few reasons why. Some of the citrus or soft fruits take…
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How is your canning holding out?
How is your canning holding out this year? Mine is not doing too well. I canned case after case of jam, jelly, pickles, peppers, salsa, and spaghetti sauce and we are down to one small shelf that is 12 inches wide, 8 inches deep and about 14 inches high. My husband did not think he…
Small Sweet Peppers
Last week, I was at Sam’s and saw a bag of very small red and yellow sweet peppers in the produce section. I bought a bag for $2.88. I wasn’t expecting much but when I opened the bag, the peppers were so sweet and tasty I couldn’t resist going back for more! They are about…
Pressure Cookers 101
Great Score at the Flea Market!! I scored big time today! This afternoon my husband and I went to the local flea market where I found something I needed…….another pressure cooker. Guess how much I paid? A mere $2! It works wonderfully. Bought it from a lady who was afraid of it. A hot water…
Let’s all go to the fair!
Did you go to the fair as a child? Remember the rides, the barkers, and the gold-fish that died before you got home? Me too. During my trips to the fair, my parents always drug me through the Ag building. It had pieces of hay, plates of corn, beans, tomatoes, cakes, jars of stuff, homemade…
What is Pectin?
Pectin is the substance used to make jam and jelly gel. Oftentimes, people shy away from its use thinking it is not “natural”. Nothing could be further from the truth! Pectin is what is on the other side of the outside peel of many fruits like citrus fruits and apples. There is little pectin found in…
What should I make first?
That’s a question I get all the time. You should start with a fruit that you or your family personally like for your first jam or jelly. There are fruits that are more forgiving than others. Strawberry is one that comes to mind. You really only need a pot, sugar, pectin, and an old-fashioned potato…
Do I have to pick/buy and put up on the same day?
Today, it is snowing in Oklahoma and many people are home. It is the perfect day for making jam or marmalade! Tis’ the season for citrus fruits so a quick trip to the store will garner you a bag full for a fairly small amount of money. If you keep jars, lids, sugar, and pectin…
I do not have a garden, do you?
I don’t have a garden and honestly, I don’t enjoy sweating, hoeing, and getting bug bites! If you live in an apartment or like me, have a yard that is nearly completely shaded throughout the summer, you cannot grow a garden. I have grown gardens. My grandparents and parents had one from before I was…
How to prepare for canning season
January, February, and March are the greatest months to get ready for the upcoming canning season within most of the United States. Attend flea markets and estate sales to find the best bargains. In order to be better prepared for the season, you will need the following items: Stainless Steel or copper cooking pot, preferably a dutch…