Have you started canning or freezing from the garden yet?

[TheBargainBabe]

Whoa whoa whoa, can you freeze zucchini?

I know you can shred and freeze it for bread and stuff. But I like to saute mine in butter or oil with salt and pepper. OR fry it. Can you preserve a zuch. good enough for that? I always thought they might get way too mushy and I'd just have to enjoy my favorite veggie in the summer months. :(

[saving-n-va]

We went to Borders last week for their 25% off for military sale. I got the Ball Book of Preserving. Its HUGE! Over 400 recipes in it. And step by step canning information for us beginners.

Yesterday I picked up 2 more cases of pints and 1 case of 8 oz jars. That gives me 39 pint jars. I think that will be enough for my first year. Although looking through that book made me want to try more than what I planned. I will get quart jars from my mom when I go up there next month. I think pint jars are the better size for us since its just dh and I, but I won't turn down free jars. LOL

Maybe by next year I will be brave enough to get a pressure canner. Maybe I'll ask "Santa" for one. LOL.

[cma2a17]

Honestly I use my water boiler more than I use my pressure cooker. It is nice having one in case I need it. But you can get alot done with just a water boiler system. I made 12 pints of kosher dill spears this weekend.

[janastanley]

We had a very long and cold spring. We had snow until the end of May! It just started warming up about 3 weeks ago. So we only have cool weather crops that are producing well like leeks, peas, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli. I just dehydrated a ton of broccoli for soups this coming winter. Otherwise nothing is ready to can or freeze yet.

[saving-n-va]

Peaches are on sale this week, so I think I'm going to give it a try this weekend.

Can I take a jam recipe and only make a half recipe? DH wants some peach jam, but I don't want 8 jars of it, since he's the only one who will eat it.

[CW&M Mom]

Just planted the pumpkins and gourds!