The Self-Sufficient Skills thread (new name, old thread!)

[valmom]

I've never made jellies, just jams. I feel like it is a waste to not include the pulp, (and it's good fiber, too). Do you strain the fruit through cheesecloth? How much do you lose in the process? If I do seedy fruits again, I will probably try to strain out the seeds a bit.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I feel that you loose too much of the good stuff, when you strain it. The seeds are full of protein and the pulp as you said, is good fiber. But the seeds can be a bit much, which is why I occasionally add another fruit, like apples or as I did this last time, peaches. That way you end up with less seeds per serving.
I have been tempted to strain some of it in order to reduce the seeds, but have yet to do so. The strained stuff wouldn't go to waste anyway, I feed that kind of stuff to the chickens and what they don't eat ends up in the chicken yard composting machine, which gets put on the field in the winter.

 

[FarmerDenise]

So far this year I haven't tried too much new stuff.
There is lots of stuff I plan on learning or re-learning, but here is what I can think of so far:

1. dried wild plums
2. dried storebought mushrooms
3. dried bananas
4. bought cornish cross chicks for meat (not much of a skill, but this will force us to butcher our own birds)

 

[Farmfresh]

I stew the fruit lightly and then strain it by lining a colander with cheese cloth. Like I said I usually re-use the seedy pulp in another recipe. Nothing ever goes to waste food wise around here with dogs, chickens, and compost pile to feed.

 

[jambunny]

I stew the fruit lightly and then strain it by lining a colander with cheese cloth. Like I said I usually re-use the seedy pulp in another recipe. Nothing ever goes to waste food wise around here with dogs, chickens, and compost pile to feed.

I hate when I eat at someone's house who doesn't have animals. I feel like I am wasting so much when I throw out the scraps.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I hate when I eat at someone's house who doesn't have animals. I feel like I am wasting so much when I throw out the scraps.

I know what you mean. Sometime I ask to take them home

 

[valmom]

Well, my blueberry jam is done today I am wondering if there is enough of the season left to make more raspberry and strain it a bit. I am down to only 4 jars of it left already- my in-laws (who I adore!) came to visit last weekend and my BIL discovered my raspberry jam. He claims it makes better margaritas than anything store bought We sent everyone home with a jar.

Next on my list- BASKETWEAVING! I live in the same town as a store called Basketville and they are going to be running a couple of weekend classes on Shaker style weaving in August. The first weekend is a pencil holder, and you graduate with a Shaker apple basket. Then they have another one in October to make a fancy cherrywood Nantucket basket.

Just what I need- another craft project

 

[Beekissed]

I would so love to learn that skill! Next spring I want to catch the basket weaving classes they have locally that teach you how to make baskets out of just about anything...twigs, grasses, pine needles, etc.

 

[angelib1]

I learned how to build a chicken coop. I,m a big girl now.

 

[valmom]

Today a chicken coop, tomorrow the world! (well, OK, maybe a greenhouse )