Thursday, July 22, 2010

Fruits of My Labor

I had another canning session yesterday. I have a bumper crop of tomatoes this year! There are plenty for us to eat, for me to can, and to ~ reluctantly ~ share with the chickens.



I am having to learn to pace myself with my work this year since all my helpers have grown up and are out-and-about with other things, but that's okay, because I've decided I can actually enjoy my own company. I'm not so bad to be around. :) I think I am actually becoming a little wiser in my current ~ not old ~ age. I have streamlined my tomato-canning steps and written them on a little card so that I can zip right through without having to think through each little step. Here's my own Smart-Canner's Step-by-Step guide:

1. Put jars in dishwasher and run through wash and sanitizing cycle.
2. De-stem and wash tomatoes while boiling a big saucepan of water.
3. Peel tomatoes. (Dip in boiling water for a couple of minutes, then dump in ice water and peels will almost float off.)
4. Quarter and core tomatoes and run through food processor. (We don't like stringy or clumpy tomatoes in our soups and chili.)
5. Put tomatoes in large soup pot and heat to boiling.
6. Ladle hot tomatoes into sterilized jars, adding:
Quarts: 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
Pints: 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
7. Wipe off jar rims with clean dishcloth.
8. Cap with sterilized lids.
9. Add to waterbath canner and process:
Quarts ~ 45 minutes
Pints ~ 40 minutes

And TA-DA! The fruits of my labor!



I left out the most important step from my list though. A step that I have to remind myself of while I'm in the midst of my busy-ness. Step 10: Be good to Sherry. Take a mid-morning break and have a little snack. Yogurt and fresh, sweet strawberries on this day. Yum!!!



And stop in time to cook up some lunch; fragrant, crisp bacon to add with lettuce and a fresh-from-the-garden tomato for a scrumptious BLT. Add a sweet, mouth-watering nectarine, a good-for-me Hershey's Nugget, and glass of cold, whole milk and I'm now refreshed and ready to get that canning finished up!

8 comments:

  1. Looks great! I won't get as many as you have, but I'm hoping to make a few jars of salsa-enjoy!

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  2. That BLT looks mighty good!

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  3. Sherry, you brought back many happy memories of when I used to help my mother can tomatoes.

    And, that sandwich ... Look, just send me a couple of those jars--okay?

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  4. Those look great! I wish I could can stuff (or even grow something to can!!)

    Sam
    Mom.Undecided.

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  5. Its good that you don't rush yourself and have a delightful lunch....those tomatoes will come in hand this winter and home made alway make everthing taste better...I'm still eating off my last years. Trish

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  6. I like that little nugget on the side. :)

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  7. Thanks for posting this. I just picked up tomatoes at the farmers market to can. This is the first time I would be canning tomatoes and wasn't quite sure of what to do. Your post was very helpful.

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  8. Great post! I like the idea of running the tomatos through the food processor before canning. Great idea! Thanks for sharing

    Carole
    www.frogbellysoup.blogspot.com

    PS-Found you on Ott, A's linky party

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I'm so happy you're leaving me a comment! ~ Sherry