The other day, our Army daughter stopped in for a porch visit. She told me, "Mom the only thing I want for Christmas is a jar of pickles."
It's the thing a hard working, gardening, self-sufficient mother wants to hear from her kids - an appreciation for home grown food.
The problem with health issues today, in my opinion, stands on the fact convenience kills (when it comes to food). I can only hope that my kids will understand the importance of eating real food. Even if they have to buy it vs. grow it.
I should have done this with the tomato soup (much chopping involved), but I'll entertain some folks with the art of making tomato salsa. Mind you this is only one thing to can with tomatoes. Imagine all the work into our 500# this year. This shows you how crazy us homesteader/self-sufficient nuts are, ha ha!
First: You have to prepare the garden, till it, weed it, plant it, weed it some more, then wait for the bounty. Then harvest those beauties and wash them first with a vegetable scrubber and cold water. Then fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.....oh and for me it involves planting, weeding and harvesting of the hot peppers, garlic onions, pre-making the tomato paste from our tomatoes, and growing the cilantro.
Moving on:
Every recipe is a bit different. Our previously preferred recipe was Fiesta Salsa (a Ball recipe). We also like this one - Chunky Salsa.
It's the thing a hard working, gardening, self-sufficient mother wants to hear from her kids - an appreciation for home grown food.
The problem with health issues today, in my opinion, stands on the fact convenience kills (when it comes to food). I can only hope that my kids will understand the importance of eating real food. Even if they have to buy it vs. grow it.
I should have done this with the tomato soup (much chopping involved), but I'll entertain some folks with the art of making tomato salsa. Mind you this is only one thing to can with tomatoes. Imagine all the work into our 500# this year. This shows you how crazy us homesteader/self-sufficient nuts are, ha ha!
First: You have to prepare the garden, till it, weed it, plant it, weed it some more, then wait for the bounty. Then harvest those beauties and wash them first with a vegetable scrubber and cold water. Then fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.....oh and for me it involves planting, weeding and harvesting of the hot peppers, garlic onions, pre-making the tomato paste from our tomatoes, and growing the cilantro.
Moving on:
Every recipe is a bit different. Our previously preferred recipe was Fiesta Salsa (a Ball recipe). We also like this one - Chunky Salsa.
If anything, maybe this post will show non-canners how much work goes into home canned goods. Just don't be fooled by those people who cheat and add bad ingredients. Even the stores in Amish country, who claim their sauce is "all natural" use the worst oil to can it (soybean oil).
The last of the last of the last ....
no more ripe tomatoes.
As of yesterday.
Although it rained all day.
Comments
I well remember the canning too, especially of the tomatoes. The scent that filled the house was like no other.
Prayers everyone's having a great weekend, and a safe one too.
God bless.
RB
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