The 2012 Canning Season at Maple Grove has come to its close. The past two months have been full of the sweet smells, fresh tastes, and inviting feels of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. The work seems long, but the season is so short!
These photos reflect the sights and colors of the late summer days of canning, and I say if you work this hard, if you aim to please, if you CAN, then go ahead and flaunt it!
Each canning day begins with the pleasure and privilege of handling the fresh-picked fruits or vegetables. You collect them from your own field or go to the local farm market to buy them. You gather them into baskets or boxes and then give them a good washing.
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| Roma Apples |
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| Chambersburg Peaches |
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Ambrose Tomatoes
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| Ambrose Peppers, Tomatoes, Onion and Garlic |
The cleaned produce is prepared for cooking. Whether chopped by hand or
processed through equipment that is hand-cranked or electric-operated,
this step usually takes a chunk of your time.
Other ingredients are added according to your recipes, often including sugar, seasonings, lemon or vinegar.
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| Food Processor |
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| Food Mill and Strainer |
You gather all
of your canning equipment and spend hours over a hot stove, heating the
jars and stirring the sauces. The tantalizing scents begin to fill the
house.
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| Canning equipment is assembled |
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| Stirring the sauce, reducing its volume |
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Heating the jars in the boiling-water canner
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Finally, you are ready to fill the jars with the prepared goods. This is a such a satisfying moment in the canning process. Even though you still have to clean up the mess, the bulk of the work is done, and you can't help but smile when you hear the "ping" of the jars as the lids seal. And you know it was a successful day.
Displaying the finished canned goods is so rewarding. You've worked so hard. The results look so good. And you know your family and friends are going to be pleased and well fed. So go ahead . . . flaunt your satisfaction!
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| Right side up, or upside down? |
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| Step in Time |
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| Welcome Fall |
So happy to be linked up with A Rural Journal for "Your Sunday's Best"
