A first for me - Pressure Canning

I have decided to step up my canning game and try the big guns - PRESSURE CANNING!
I was seeing a ton of recipes I wanted to try that required pressure canning. Broth, Sauces, Meats, Veggies ... I could go on for days.
After watching a YouTube video from Linda's Pantry on making enchilada sauce I was ready to take the plunge. I picked up the Ball canning book she referenced on Amazon. I also ran to Wal-Mart to pick up a pressure canner I paid just over $60 for The Presto 16 Quart aluminum canner.

I LOVE this book! So many ideas - totally different then the other ball blue book.
Check it out on Amazon

I already have a bunch of recipes flagged.

OK back to the sauce....

I did follow Lindas advise in her video and instead of using the poaching liquid on the peppers I used 1 bottle of Mexican beer. We are not beer drinkers so I am glad my store sold single beers. Other then that I did add 1 extra can of diced tomatoes and 4 chili peppers that where in adobo sauce.

The sauce was a breeze to make. I ended up with 7 pints total.
I have to admit I was very nervous using the pressure canner for the first time. I read my instruction manual about 8 times to make sure I did everything right. Everything turned out GREAT! The kitchen did not blow up, my jars sealed and I now have a bit more confidence to try my next recipe.

I only needed 1 bag a peppers for this recipe.

My canning wish-list  /  To-do list 

-Sloppy Joe Starter

-Bone Broth

-BBQ Pulled Pork

-End of Summer Pasta Sauce

(this should keep me busy)

It's hard to wait....

I think the hardest thing about my canning adventure is waiting....Most recipes require a month or so to develop flavors. I made my zucchini bread and butter pickles on 7/30 and I could not wait any longer. They could use a few more weeks to fully develop. But they where still amazing!

I will definitely be making more before the zucchini season is over.

Recipe was found on Pintrest

I used a mix of green and yellow zucchini and sliced them with my handy mandolin.

       Sweet-and-Spicy Bread-and-Butter Pickles

Canning one Sunday at a Time

I decided that 2016 will be my year to learn to can or re-learn to can. My action plan was/is to start small. Try to can something every other Sunday. About 10 years ago my grandma gave me a recipe for Zucchini bread and butter pickles. I made them back then and never canned again no real reason I just didn't.
But with our new home and my desire to save money and be more self sufficient and have a better feel for what we eat - NOW is the time!

Here is what I have made so far -

• 6 Jars of Bread & Butter Zucchini Pickles - Recipe Pintrest 
• 3 Jars of Cowboy Candy (Pickled sweet Jalapenos) - Pintrest
• 4 Jars of Indian Spiced Veggies - Pintrest
• 6 Jars of Rhubarb Orange Jam - 2016 Ball Blue Book 
• 6 Jars of grape Jelly - 2016 Ball Blue Book - 3 year old APPROVED!
• 3 Jars Bread and Butter Zucchini Relish - 2016 Ball Blue Book
• 3 Jars Jalapeno pickle relish - Mrs Wages Kit 
• 3 Jars of spicy carrots - PINTREST FAIL!! These went in the trash they did not tun out.

I just love going downstairs and looking at my shelf of jars, so colorful and they give me a sense of comfort. Not everything is in the above picture I made 2 types of relish since the photo was taken.

Just look at the color of this relish! I can't wait to dig in.
The best part of it was the Zucchini & Onion was free from my sister and I grew the peppers in my container garden.

I have a few more items I want to get done yet this year.
Cranberry Sauce, More Jams and Jellies, BBQ sauce.....
Oh I could go on and on.

My lifeline in all of this is the Ball Blue Book. Basically everything you need to start. Well except the supplies and ingredients.

Click here to see the Ball Blue Book on Amazon

Zucchini Bread & Butter Pickles