Farmfresh City Homesteader - the sound of falling oaks.

[Up-the-Creek]

FF,..that ia great info on showing the canned stuff.Jars and lids matching,etc.,... I have always wanted to do that, but with little ones in tow, it isn't easy to do.( I haven't much help) Our state fair begins the week after next and I cannot wait! I love to go see everyone's canned foods, veggies, fruits, etc.,....The quilting show is the bomb! I love to look at all those beautiful quilts. I wish I had the patience for it! I wish you the best of luck with your stuff,..I hope you win first place!

 

[keljonma]

Quart and glass does NOT a canning jar make!

I try to buy a few new jars every year. I always have a few broken or chipped ones that need replacing and I am forever trying to expand my collection as well.

My sissy stopped by for a while today and helped me "screen" possible jars of canned goods to go to the Missouri State Fair on Sunday next. I entered lots of canned good classes... there are even some things I haven't got in jars yet! Carrots and strawberry jam are two things. I thought I had already done some strawberry jam, but I think we ate it!

Showing canned goods is weird. Not only do you have to have nice product in the jars, the lids must match the jar (Ball to Ball or Kerr to Kerr), the head space has to be correct, they need to be labeled with contents and processing info, and some of them MUST include the recipe printed on the official forms! Just when you think you have a good jar to take you find a a funny brown speck or a piece of bean stem that might spoil the looks of the jar. Or sometimes your jelly is not jelled just right - too thin or too thick.

They do not taste the product, which would always help me if they did. If I say so myself my stuff usually tastes marvelous! Sometimes a plain Jane LOOKING thing, like my old brown looking jar of peach butter has taste that will KNOCK your socks off!

So lots more recipes to type up tomorrow and more canning to do. Still it is lots of fun!

Anyone else ever compete with their Self Sufficient produce?

Twice I have ALMOST entered a county fair! The rules sure can be daunting.

A couple years ago, the fella my sister was dating won 2nd prize for his dinner plate sized dahlias. They were absolutely stunning! I was sure he was going to get 1st - but the judges thought otherwise.

Our local diner has terrific pies and the owner wins prizes on her pies almost every year at the county fair. Last year she took 1st place for cherry, 1st place for strawberry rhubarb, and 2nd place for peach.

I made a batch of strawberry jam in July. It is dh's favorite, so it never lasts long here. I always try to hide a couple jars to give as Christmas presents.


edited for typo - I'm not wearing my glasses.....

 

[punkin]

I've been tempted to enter come canned goods in the fair, but, you are right. Those rules can be tough. Our county fair is over Labor Day, so I have time to decide. Just about every year there is a jar of green beans there. These green beans are "placed" in the jar. It must take a good 1/2 hour to pack it just so. The are quarted with 4 rows stacked neatley all the way around. Good grief, who has time to do that?

 

[Farmfresh]

Busy day!

 

[Farmfresh]

It was HOT yesterday.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

FF you are a busy gal! All I can do today is set on here and read everyones posts. The dishes got done anyway. Thank goodness my computer is in the kitchen! I have grape jelly to make, but as I said I am having a lazy day. The peach butter you are making sounds delightful,..I have never had any. Maybe I should try to make me some! Not today though,..I think yesterday whipped me!

 

[Farmfresh]

Really a snowy morning!

 

[big brown horse]

Part of the reason I am making peach butter is cause it is a lazy recipe!

I had frozen peaches left over from last year's harvest. You just dump them in a crockpot set on low and let her cook with a screen top on it. I use a splatter shield made for frying pans! When it cooks down all thick and gooey, you add cinnamon and some sugar to taste and then process it in a water bath canner for about 15 min! Done!

Really just the thing on fresh toast on a snowy morning!

Do you add anything to the peaches while they cook? Can I do this with plums or other fruit too? Sounds easy!

 

[Farmfresh]

Nope!

 

[Beekissed]

Farm, you have been busy!!! Could you take pics of your stuff and post it....I love seeing all those pretty jars in a row. And we will give you a blue ribbon even if the lids don't match the jars!

One thing about county fairs, it seems like the judges often know the winners personally..... I used to win a blue ribbon for my Mom's hot pepper butter every year because it was the only one in its category. The ribbon would pay my way into the fair for that day.

My kids and I always tried to win blue ribbons for just that purpose.....because we could redeem our entry price by doing so. Are we cheap or what?

Pics, please? Wish I could taste your stuff......