Posted by: Dawn
It's that time of year again, the harvest of all the gardens.
My peas stopped producing around the first of August, though I didn't expect to do much with them but eat and be merry, we canned about 6 pints that we didn't feel like eating.
And this is the reason why, beans, beans, and more beans. Understand....my kitchen sink is one big sink instead of two. It took me about a hour to snap both ends of each bean and then another 45 minutes to chop.
My canner is very, very old, it was given to me from a friend, we figured we had to change some of the contraptions that are built-in on the top. We also ran a test run the night before, my husband pressurized the canner to 20 lbs to see if the emergency valve and the back-up emergency would work. "What da ya mean?" "You were trying to blow them off!?" Everything worked out well though, I have replace a petcock with a regulator that will jiggle when too much pressure is applied, that is....it pops pressure out every time it jiggles/jumps. Best thing I could of done.
So here we go with the beans and of course we want salt, of course I ran my jars on the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher and, of course I boiled the lids.
The nice thing about this regulator is a small tilt will let all the steam out, unpressurizing the canner. I had never canned before so this was incredibly neat to me, not to mention my veggies were ready to come out!
We were quite proud of the audible pop the peas made when the lids became sealed, they actually don't do this until they cool down. It was fun, but then again, after all the growing, prep and worry, something as little as a small pop would make you laugh.
Until the next time 'round, see ya In the Garden.
It's that time of year again, the harvest of all the gardens.
My peas stopped producing around the first of August, though I didn't expect to do much with them but eat and be merry, we canned about 6 pints that we didn't feel like eating.
And this is the reason why, beans, beans, and more beans. Understand....my kitchen sink is one big sink instead of two. It took me about a hour to snap both ends of each bean and then another 45 minutes to chop.My canner is very, very old, it was given to me from a friend, we figured we had to change some of the contraptions that are built-in on the top. We also ran a test run the night before, my husband pressurized the canner to 20 lbs to see if the emergency valve and the back-up emergency would work. "What da ya mean?" "You were trying to blow them off!?" Everything worked out well though, I have replace a petcock with a regulator that will jiggle when too much pressure is applied, that is....it pops pressure out every time it jiggles/jumps. Best thing I could of done.
So here we go with the beans and of course we want salt, of course I ran my jars on the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher and, of course I boiled the lids.
The nice thing about this regulator is a small tilt will let all the steam out, unpressurizing the canner. I had never canned before so this was incredibly neat to me, not to mention my veggies were ready to come out!
We were quite proud of the audible pop the peas made when the lids became sealed, they actually don't do this until they cool down. It was fun, but then again, after all the growing, prep and worry, something as little as a small pop would make you laugh.
Until the next time 'round, see ya In the Garden.
Dawn, I'm so impressed with the volume of beans you've harvested! A measely handful is what I get once a week..lol. Wonderful that your family will get to enjoy 'fresh' for months to come ;)
ReplyDeleteLynn
Creative and inventive !
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to have your own canned goods. DH does the same but with sauce and that pop is what you want to hear to be sure the lids are sealed. This year maybe just tomatoes.
Way to go Dawn! I think canning is a dying art and it's a shame. I've seen my mother put up a many a jar over the years.--Randy
ReplyDeleteAll that work will be well worth it when you can eat garden veggies in January!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Dawn. That sure is a nice bunch of canned goodies. They sure will taste good this winter.
ReplyDeleteI've helped my mother in the past & I've canned myself some yrs back. I really enjoyed it. Seems I always had more than we could use so I shared.
Yum! So wonderful to be able to enjoy the harvest long after the garden is finished for the season.
ReplyDeleteI've never used the pressure cooker method to can but I love mine to cook meat. I used the steam bath method to can. Either way it's a lot of work. Prepping the jars and the food takes forever.
ReplyDeleteI used to can dilled green beans. They taste like dill pickles, very, very crunchy.
Marnie
What nice canning and thanks for showing the pressure canning process. I was planning on buying a pressure canner this year but I am glade I had not picked one up yet. Most crops that need pressure canning have done diddly, particularly my beans.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I've always had good luck with beans, not so on some of the other veggies but good on the beans, with the canning we don't have to eat them until our eyes are stuff with them!
ReplyDeletePatsi, it was fun to hear those pop, it didn't do it with the big jars but we could see them being sucked down. Tomatoes, yum, maybe next year for me.
Hi Marnie, I was surprised to find you can cook in these cookers and yes! I must remember dill for next year! I see pickles in my future.
Randy, your right it is dying, I have a bunch of the glass tops but the rubber rings are discontinued by the manufacturer, shame!
Dave, DH and I are so looking forward to that!
Lola, yes, I may end up with more than I can do, passing fresh veggies along is the thing to do.
Garden girl, that's the goal, I like the large size jars because that's the right size for us.
Dawn those beans look SO good! I am sadly not going to be able to can anything this year! Not enough crops:( Highly unusual. I've never used a pressure canner but saw one at a yard sale this weekend and almost bought it. The lady was saying how she was always afraid it will blow its valve. Thanks for showing and assuring us that it is okay. I may give it a try sometime. Your veggies look just too good!
ReplyDeleteDan, sorry to hear that. A saleslady was telling us about the new electric pressure cooker, I'd like to get use to this one before moving on though, canning is fun.
ReplyDeleteTina, my petcock, the jiggler was replaced, the big thing is to make sure the other valves (2 emergency valves) are clear. They will blow at over 20 lbs but have to melt a seal from around them. They act like a sprinkler system. Canning is at 11 lbs, very far from the caution point. Maybe next year?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you kidding? That 'pop' means success!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am always soooooooo careful when I use my pressure cooker. I got rid of one old one when the rubber ring was getting old. Fear was the driving factor. KAblooooey! Your beans look great!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, That was DH's concern, the sealing ring. Mine is good, in fact to good. I found a replacement part catalog on the net that has everything! Including all the seals, racks, valves, knobs (which are bake-a-lite, much to my surprise) The company has some good things and are speedy with the merchandise. Hubby works with gauges, seals and valves everyday, that's why I wanted him there for the first few times. Although if it went Kalbooooey he wouldn't be able to do a thing!
ReplyDeleteDawn,
ReplyDeleteIf beans can be lovely, then your canned beans are! I remember my mother canning garden stuffs, sadly I never picked this up. You are going to love these, come winter.
Rosey
My grandmother canned lots of veggies that the neighbors would bring over to her. She used the pressure cooker method. She had shelves in the basement full of goodies. Too bad I did not eat veggies back then. My miss out for sure. I never took up the craft of canning probably due to my fear of the cooker and not liking veggies at that time of my life.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, it'll be so great to enjoy them this winter. I used to help my mom can and I do remember how much work it was. I always think they look so pretty in their jars.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Dawn! I'm really impressed with the end results for a first-time effort. I freeze everything possible; the only canning I do is something that doesn't need to be canned in a pressure cooker. I had an unfortunate accident many years ago when my mother-in-law was teaching me how to can, and I refuse to do it ever again. Don't worry, though; I think we were in such a hurry that we took the jars out too soon or else we had a cracked jar...
ReplyDeleteThe green beans have really produced this year, haven't they? You'll be thankful for all your hard work this winter.
To Tina, Skeeter, and Lola: Just got an internet connection, but I'm leaving for home in a little while, so I'll be back to catch up on earlier posts tomorrow.
The pressure cooker scares me! I remember thinking it was going to blow up as a kid watching my Mom can. I guess that's why I've never tried it but I would love to eat some homegrown veggies in the middle of winter. Good for you preserving a great harvest.
ReplyDeleteThose beans will taste good this winter.
ReplyDeleteI love it !!! herzlich Kathrin
ReplyDeleteHi guys,
ReplyDeleteI've been working up another batch, that and about 15 tomatoes. Seems like they want to ripe all at once now!
Thanks Catherine, they look good in the jars to me too, course it's part that I've grown them. Canning is rewarding.
Sorry Rose, I wondered about the classico jars, the site I found alot of receipes on uses them for her canning w/o problems but she had a link to Classico that warned against that due to breaking. I've been saving mine *sigh* guess I'll use them for tomatoes only, they don't need the pressure canning.
Kathleen, I was alittle nervous too but once hubby explained the valves I felt better, mine has the full handled rack for removing the jars also. Harder and more personal when you have to handle them one by one.
Dot, I hope too! Only to do it all over next year.
Kathrin, thanks!
Hi Dawn, wow you did an amazing job and I'm sure your cute little helper was right by your side:) I'd love to can -I guess I will give it a try in a few more years. Although with the growing boys it would probably come in handy now, hahaha. Another busy day here --who would think I'd have so much homework after all these years?? hahaha Just checking it takes me so long but it is times four, rofl. Have a great night y'all!
ReplyDeleteWell, good for you! My mom used to can a lot, now she sticks to grape juice from their own vines and applesauce from apples she buys. I keep meaning to start, but haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine my Mother canning on a wood stove? Yep, that's how she did it. I can remember packing the beans down in the jar with a spoon. By gone era.
ReplyDeleteSkeeter! I must of missed you on the other comment! Shameful! I think every kid dislikes veggies, I know I did! So nice your grandmother canned she was a awesome lady!
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous, yes! Canning would come in handy with boys!.....and girl! School starts tomorrow for us, I'm dreading the HW especially from a junior. Give lil bundle xtra kiss!
VW, oh to have my own fruit...someday.
Hi Lola, Wow! A woodstove, surely would make for a heavy job canning and stoking a stove all at one time!
and double checking...I missed Rosey Pollen! But thanks for the compliment, they are nice to see whenever I head to the basement and do laundry, makes me smile.
They do look great Dawn. Nana used to can a lot when I was young but then she had 2 freezers and the canner pan sat unused. The basement was always full of pickles and veggies.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great harvest you got from your beans Dawn! I would love to learn how to can, thanks for sharing your experience. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks mom, hubby doesn't care for the frozen beans or peas, tomatoes are ok.
ReplyDeletePerennial gardener, your welcome, it was fun, give it a whirl!