Getting the amount of sugar right in your jam or jelly is important for proper setting up. Too little sugar will turn into a runny mess. Using a Thermometer An accurate thermometer provides the simplest and safest way to tell when the sugar has reached the proper concentration. Star by measuring the exact temperature at […]
canning and pickling
Testing Fruit for Pectin and Acid
To test fruit for pectin, mix 1 teaspoon of cooked fruit with 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. If the mixture coagulates into a single clump, there is sufficient pectin. (Do not taste the mixture, since rubbing alcohol is poisonous!) To check fruit for acidity, compare its taste to that of a mixture consisting of 3 […]
Types of Canning Lids
When researching this article I realized that types of canning jars and canning lids are not universally available around the world. In fact some folks do canning in re-used grocery store glass jars, mostly because they can’t get ahold of regular canning jars and lids where they are. There was a heated discussion recently on […]
Making and Using Pectin
Can’t get a hold of commercially made pectin? If you have a good quantity of apples you can make your own. To manufacture your own pectin start with 10 pounds of tart apples (green apples work the best) and a large kettle. Wash them and cut off any rot or insect damage. Remove stems. Quarter […]
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Using a crock pot slow cooker is a great way to make apple butter! Whether you start with pre-made applesauce or whole apples first get out your slow cooker. Start with a typical 4-5 quart slow cooker crock pot. Peel, core, and dice the apple variety of your choice to completely fill the slow cooker, […]
Homemade Jams, Jellies, and Preserves
Making strawberry jam at home brings back fond memories of my grandparents, who made large batches every summer. They would load up on strawberries from a you-pick farm and spend hours in the kitchen. I remember the vast amounts of sugar they added and the jam bubbling away on the stove for what seemed like […]
Making Jelly Without Added Pectin
As a homesteader, I’ve recently delved into the art of making apple jelly without added pectin. With so many apples off of one of my apple trees (I think the variety is Jonathan) I wanted to do something else besides making more pies. My journey has been both enlightening and a bit challenging, especially when […]