Canning Stuff.

[Jstpssng]

Canning is cheaper than store bought IF you grow the veggies or get them free.

I think their viewpoint is that the time it takes to grow that big of a garden is better used elsewhere.

I can a lot of dry beans all through the year,

it's just so easy and I really like the way they come out!

I don't think there's anything easier to can!

SR

Succotash!!! I haven't had it in years... probably since I moved out of my parent's house. We always had corn with the beans, but I've heard other variations.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Walmart isn’t limiting canning lid purchases.

Maybe in New Mexico. Around here, everybody has gardens and orchards full of produce that would go to waste. Or maybe Walmart does a raid on the grocery store and resells them for a markup.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I really got sticker shock when I went into the grocery store yesterday. I don't buy much meat as I raise pigs and poultry every year but am out of ground pork until this year's pig comes back from the butcher. I was there for a can of beans and some hot dogs... YIKES!
The beans have gone up 50% in the last few months. Time to dig out the bean hole before winter, so that I can do up a 10 quart pot and put some in the freezer. Then I went to find the dogs- 8 bucks for a pound!!! It works out to a dollar a dog.
Instead I bought a package of ground sirloin, which was 1.20$/lb less than the hot dogs.

Most of the people I know who used to can, stopped because it's so much cheaper to buy canned goods at the store. I have all of the capability but not the interest, for the same reason. I do freeze some green peppers every year. they add some zest to a spaghetti or chili. I try to freeze a few whole, for stuffed peppers when the winter is getting long. Other than that I keep a few weeks of canned goods on hand, and a few bags of frozen vegetables in the freezer. My power hasn't been out for more than a few hours in the 19 years I've lived here... we are tied directly into a Canadian grid ad our coop is very proactive about keeping the wires cleared.

Hotdogs were $2.49/lb. here last Tuesday. It's the canned chili that is $1.50/can. I put a pound of pintos in a pot to soak this morning. Chili dogs by the end of the week. All it takes is forethought.

 

[Jstpssng]

Hotdogs were $2.49/lb. here last Tuesday. It's the canned chili that is $1.50/can. I put a pound of pintos in a pot to soak this morning. Chili dogs by the end of the week. All it takes is forethought.

And time. I have 5 pounds of beans in the cupboard. All that I need to do is dig out the beanhole, clean out the dutch oven which hasn't been used in a few years, put the beans to soak, start a fire, prep the beans and wait 10 hours... when I'm done I will have 3 months of baked beans in the freezer.

Right now I'm getting things together for winter.

And hot dogs are still 8.09 $/lb here.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

And time. I have 5 pounds of beans in the cupboard. All that I need to do is dig out the beanhole, clean out the dutch oven which hasn't been used in a few years, put the beans to soak, start a fire, prep the beans and wait 10 hours... when I'm done I will have 3 months of baked beans in the freezer.

Right now I'm getting things together for winter.

And hot dogs are still 8.09 $/lb here.

I use a crock pot. One lb. beans in the pot, soak for a day or so, rinse and drain, add a quart of tomato sauce, onions, herbs and peppers, meat optional if I want con carne. For chili dogs, I will make real chili. Set the crock pot on low for a day, and eat. Total prep time maybe 15 minutes. Freezing beans is nuts. Store them dry.

 

[Jstpssng]

I use a crock pot. One lb. beans in the pot, soak for a day or so, rinse and drain, add a quart of tomato sauce, onions, herbs and peppers, meat optional if I want con carne, set the crock pot on low for a day, and eat. Total prep time maybe 15 minutes. Freezing beans is nuts. Store them dry.

Whatever works best for you. It takes 8-10 hours to make a decent pot of baked beans no matter what method you use. (Except a pressure cooker.) I prefer to do more, less often. Then take a pint out Friday night, and heat with a cup of precooked ground pork on Saturday night.

 

[jyoutz]

Maybe in New Mexico. Around here, everybody has gardens and orchards full of produce that would go to waste. Or maybe Walmart does a raid on the grocery store and resells them for a markup.

Everyone cans around here too. Last week I saw huge pallets of jars and lids in the isles waiting to be stocked on shelves. Last year they were scarce and there was limitations on sales, but not this year.

 

[Oaktree]

Hotdogs were $2.49/lb. here last Tuesday. It's the canned chili that is $1.50/can.

What kind of hotdogs are $2.49/lb? The really naasty cheap skinless ones in the vacuum sealed packages? Yuck! Not quite as expensive here as Jstpssng saw, but decent natural casing ones like Schonlands are $6.99.
Closer to $2 for the chili, at least the name brands like Hormel or Wolf.

 

[Jstpssng]

I haven't bought canned chili in... Come to think of it, I don't believe that I've ever bought canned chili.

 

[jyoutz]

I haven't bought canned chili in... Come to think of it, I don't believe that I've ever bought canned chili.

Only for going camping.

 

[California]

Canning is cheaper than store bought IF you grow the veggies or get them free.

... and if people return jars!

I can several dozen half-pint jars of wild blackberry jam every year for Christmas presents, for dinner parties, and for my adult kids to give to people when they host them here. (as well as for our own use of course).

I accumulated a lot of jars back when the thrift stores priced a dozen box of used ones, with lids, as low as $2.99/dozen. Over the years that source dried up, and I've had to start buying new jars each year. Now I see $18.49/dozen, locally. Amazon is even higher.


I've learned I can re-use the discs indefinitely, after inspecting to discard obvious faults. I average less than one fail-to-seal per year. A failed one can go in the refrigerator for immediate family use.

And the jam tastes amazing.

 

[Jstpssng]

... and if people return jars!

I can several dozen half-pint jars of wild blackberry jam every year for Christmas presents, for dinner parties, and for my adult kids to give to people when they host them here. (as well as for our own use of course).

I accumulated a lot of jars back when the thrift stores priced a dozen box of used ones, with lids, as low as $2.99/dozen. Over the years that source dried up, and I've had to start buying new jars each year. Now I see $18.49/dozen, locally. Amazon is even higher.


I've learned I can re-use the discs indefinitely, after inspecting to discard obvious faults. I average less than one fail-to-seal per year. A failed one can go in the refrigerator for immediate family use.

And the jam tastes amazing.

I was taught to return the jars, but not empty. That worked well for a time, but it's been a while since I've boiled maple syrup.

Reusing the lids is fine for things like jellies and jams, which have so much sugar there's little risk of spoilage. (When I started making preserves, pouring liquid wax over the top for a sealant was still acceptable.) For other products it's a bit risky. Yet if the top snaps down as the jar cools, you should be good to go.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

What kind of hotdogs are $2.49/lb? The really naasty cheap skinless ones in the vacuum sealed packages? Yuck! Not quite as expensive here as Jstpssng saw, but decent natural casing ones like Schonlands are $6.99.
Closer to $2 for the chili, at least the name brands like Hormel or Wolf.

Foster Farms, probably not available in your area. They are quality low fat franks.

If you like Hormel or Wolf, good for you. I don't.

 

[California]

I was taught to return the jars, but not empty.

Reusing the lids is fine for things like jellies and jams, which have so much sugar there's little risk of spoilage.

I wish someone would return a jar with something in it!

But better yet the two women across the lane give us an occasional bottle of their superb Pinoit Noir wine they grow, then crush and bottle in their driveway right there. We give them all the jam they can eat! Comparable wine from the winery nearest us averages $112/bottle at auction. The guy who harvests my orchard also grows grapes for that nearby winery. People tell me I should replace the apple orchard with a vineyard but I like the orchard better, its like living in a park, not a sterile ag factory.

Yeah sugar. I tried a low-sugar jam recipe. Bad choice. It would grow green fuzz after two weeks in the refrigerator after it was open. Never again.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I wish someone would return a jar with something in it!

But better yet the two women across the lane give us an occasional bottle of their superb Pinoit Noir wine they grow, then crush and bottle in their driveway right there. We give them all the jam they can eat! Comparable wine from the winery nearest us averages $112/bottle at auction. The guy who harvests my orchard also grows grapes for that nearby winery. People tell me I should replace the apple orchard with a vineyard but I like the orchard better, its like living in a park, not a sterile ag factory.

Yeah sugar. I tried a low-sugar jam recipe. Bad choice. It would grow green fuzz after two weeks in the refrigerator after it was open. Never again.

See if the ladies will part with some of the grape juice. Pinot puts grape jelly right back on the front of the shelf. I knew a woman who planted a 350 acre vineyard. She was my mom's best friend, and every year she made pinot noir jelly.

 

[ponytug]

Gosh the few times that I have had Pinot noir grape juice, or Cabernet grape juice, was just amazing. One sip and you can taste why it turns into amazing wine in the right hands.

I have to admit that it would be worth a lot for Pinot noir grape jam...hmmm might be worth planting a few vines.

Yum!

All the best,

Peter