Thank you both.
Some good advice there on using the canning jars.
I hate to admit, but I’ve never canned anything.
Maybe we could have one day a week where we learn something new and do it - all of us. :)
You do NOT know what you are missing!!!
Granted it might seem daunting when you are first starting, but once you catch the fever, it is almost second-nature.
Right now I probably have about 80 cases of home canned food on hand. No Pesticides, Herbicides, additives - nothing but good food and I know what is in every jar!
Just this year I have canned the following: Dill Pickles, Bread & Butter Pickles, Pickled Green Tomatoes, Pickled Beets, Pickle Relish, Green Beans, Peas, Lima Beans, Sour Kraut, Apple Pie Filling, Apple Sauce, Stewed Tomatoes, Ketchup, Spaghetti Sauce, Corn, Bacon, Sausage, Ground Venison, Cubed Venison, Chicken Chunks, Chicken Broth, Zucchini, Mushrooms, Summer Squash, Pumpkin, Chili, Peaches, Strawberry Jam, Peach Preserves, Blueberries - I think that about covers it, but there may be another one or two. You cannot imagine the reassurance having pantry, closets and other stashes full. Very few quick trips to the store during the year to pick up something. My wife calls it my grocery store/warehouse.
To get your feet wet, try something easy that you like that is acidic - like pickling something or tomatoes they can be done in a hot water bath. Any pot that allows you to have water covering the top of the jar by about an inch or more will do. You can usually pick up Ball Mason Jars at yard sales really cheap. Look for any cracks and be sure to check the top edge - run your finger around it and be sure it is smooth and intact. I bought most of my jars from a store called Big Lots - They have them for about $6.50 per case, and that includes lids and bands - that figures out to 54 cents per jar - replacement lids can be bought during the end of the season at the same store for 99 cents per dozen so after the first use, all you need are the lids at 8 cents. I also re-use the lids for non critical storage like beans, rice, drinking water - I don't recommend using them over for vegies or meat (but I have done it quite successfully when I ran out of new ones)
If you really want to see what can be done with a bit of effort, I would highly recommend Jackie Clay -
If you had anything planned this weekend, you will probably hate me, because Jackie's articles are addicting to anyone the least bit interested in gardening/self sufficiency.
If you feel you are near enough and would like to can someday I would show you how. We just need a day when there's something to can.