Canning, Anyone?

[Twinmama]

It's a great time of year to be canning. If I had the time, I'd be picking up a ton of peaches at the farmer's market to make peach jam with! But other things I've enjoyed canning in the past have been cranberry jelly and my all-time favorite apple butter. What is your favorite canning recipe?

[Mama Mangia]

I can tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, soups, broth, pickles, relishes, applesauce, various sauces, caramel sauces, etc.

[oldbay]

This reminds me that I need to go out while the tomatoes are available and can some for the winter. They retain so much of the flavor and it's great to get nice tasting tomatoes in January.

A few years ago I canned my own crop, but I can't grown my own where I live now as the deer eat them before I can pick them.

We prepare our jars, and fill them indoors. But we process them outside with this huge propane burner so the heat stays outside.

I really only can the peeled tomatoes. They're quite useful in recipes that call for sauce as you can toss some canned tomato paste in as a thickener.

[DevilsCharm]

I've never canned anything before, and if I did, I would probably sell everything I canned. I don't like canned fruits anyway.

[Mama Mangia]

Neither do I (canned fruits) but I love them homemade!!! There is such a big difference!

[Twinmama]

Canned jams and jellies make great gifts for the holidays....

[JKander]

If I got canned food as a gift in the holidays I would publically scream at the gift-giver. I want electronics, not food (unless it's candy)!

[TexasRose]

I made strawberry jam once; it turned out pretty good.

[aeiou]

I used to pick my own strawberries and raspberries and make jam with them. I also like to can tomatoes. They are so much better to use in the winter then those tomatoes you buy in the store that are tasteless and hard as rock.

Twinmama - I have never had any cranberry jelly. What time of the year do you make that and where do you get enough cranberries to make it?

[pinkperson]

Canning is a good way to preserve foods but personally, I am just scared to try that. I am scared that I won't do it properly and one mistake is very critical as this can cause botulism. *sigh*