September 18, 2010

Inexpensive Fast Food - Putting Food Up

In the last 36 hours, 30 pounds of tomatoes, 25 pounds of cucumbers, 15 pounds of each cabbage and beets, 10 pounds of each onions, hot peppers, peaches and carrots, 5 pounds each of plums have been saved for winter eating,

At this time of year this list could have been purchased fresh at a farmer's market for under $100. All processed into salsa, hot sauce, spaghetti sauce, dill pickles, relish, pie filling and frozen foods, to replace, would cost 10 times that at the grocery store in winter.

But I grew this list in my garden. The seeds were free because I saved them from my plants last year,
so the cost was my time, $10 in freezer bags and a little electricity.

My seasonal project this time of year is preserving food. I do it alone, with enjoyment, ease and pride. You can too, it is really a no brainer!

16 comments:

  1. Now those are the type of prepackaged foods that I like. Homemade and straight from the pantry, freezer, or root cellar. Very nice.

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  2. aren't we just the luckiest people?! your onion post was excellent, telling folks about the wet and storage is very valueable (Canadian accent, eh?) information that a new gardener would not be aware of but that could save their crop. The true skills of a gardener are problem solving, working with nature not against it, as you so often point out. It is wet and cold here, the tomatoes are all pulled and we are just waiting on the walnuts. This is my favorite time of year, not tied to watering the garden, I hunt for wild mushrooms for hours. Have ordered plugs for oyster, maitake, and reishi mushrooms, they are supposed to be "everbearing", I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the visit, peace

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  3. Did you do it yourself or did you have help? All my helpers grew up, and now have little babies to care for. I can't wait until the babies are old enought to help again! BTW - Can I use your help wanted ad in my blog? It describes my dream job to the T.

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  4. Hi Ruralrose, You will be sitting pretty this winter for sure with your stockpile! Our tomatoes are just starting to ripen .. my dog somehow got behind the deer net and snatched the first one! Today I'm putting up peaches .. probably canning some peach butter and frozen pie fillings. Your mushroom plug experience would make a good post. Was thinking about doing that next year. I'm not sure about picking wild ones. After doing some research about the type growing in my lawn ... found out they are dubbed 'death angels' ;( Enjoy your harvest and storing away time.

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  5. So glad to hear of people's harvests & preserving at this time of year. I didn't have much success with anything other than kale & lettuces this year & the deer is back munching on whatever else is left...
    Next year will be better I'm sure!

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  6. Our electricity supply is too unreliable to freeze great quantities, hence we only have a small freezer the contents of which could be finished off in a few days if we have another power cut. So we do a lot of canning, jamming etc. This year hasn't been too good to us so not enough tomatoes to can much. Tomorrow is cider making day though, so there's something to cheer us up.

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  7. Yes Janet I do it myself. You sure can use my ad on your blog. Would you mind linking it back to me in case someone is interested? I have one son 16. It must be nice to have babies again. How many children do you have? Peace

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  8. Mrs. Mac I took all my tomatoes off the vine the first week of September. We had frost that time last year, I lost 9 year old pepper plants, and I wasn't going to loose anything this year. We did not get frost, but we have had 3 times the rain on record for this time of year and the tomatoes that where left are rotting with most everything else left. Looks like we have the same growing zone as I just did up my peaches too. I will certainly share my fun with the mushrooms, it is a good idea for a post. Just have 40 pounds of tomatoes and 5 pineapples to do then wait for the grapes, apples and walnuts. Yes we will have food all winter, it was a bit of struggle this year I confess. Off to read your blog. Peace

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  9. The beauty of your flowers makes up for everything . . . and yes there is always next year! peace

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  10. I'm thinking ahead to next year. We can grow lettuce like crazy, but nowhere can I find out how to preserve it for the winter. Any thoughts? It's good to see you blogging again as your articles have been very helpful. God Bless You!

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  11. Heiko - production was very low here too, due to cold and rain - lots and lots of rain! We have a little gas generator to keep the freezers going, as a safety. I understand where you are coming from. I always loss something in the canning water (jars break, etc) that I have almost all but given that up. Would you mind doing a tutorial post on the cider making? I have a cider press, paid a lot of money for it 10 years ago, hubby spend a day putting it together - and still I don't think I am using it right (in fact i have almost all but given up on making cider). Thanks for the visit - Peace

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  12. Hi Ian - Too much or not any, that is lettuce in my garden too - i will be growing mine in the porch under florescent lights this winter - scroll down a little to "best blog" and there is a link there for a man who grows vegetables in his basement - peace

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  13. I made cider first 2 years ago with an old grape crusher and a basket press (see http://pathtoselfsufficiency.blogspot.com/2008/10/indian-summer-and-cider-making.html) It worked quite well, but I think the apples could have been pressed more efficiently. This year I'm doing quite a small quantity and put it through an ordinary domestic juicer in batches. Did the same with pears a few weeks ago and it worked well. The rest is like taking candy from a (well-behaved) kid. Put some yeast in if you like, or not and wait, syphon off the deposit, drink.

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  14. Thanks Heiko, this was very generous of you to share. I can't wait to have some cider to sip! Peace

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  15. I love preserving food and every year I do a few more recipes and a few more different vegetable or fruits.
    This year it was not a particularly good year for peppers, so I bought some on the market and pickled them. Peppers are so cheap now, but in winter pickled peppers will be just too expensive. I know it is not a home grown, but it is home pickled, at least.

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  16. I will have to buy the eggplant and red peppers to make your recipe too. I always buy some vegetables from local farmers, it is good to support a like minded community. Can't get over that oven canning thing, going to do a post on it soon. So happy to follow you . . . peace

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