When you have the time/space. Since last Monday when I was at the Sorauren Farmer’s Market (which, if you are in the area, you really should go to, it’s small but everyone there is nice and has beautiful local/organic produce) and met some nice ladies from Parkdale’s Westend Food Co-op who made me think about canning. And it’s Jana’s fault too, I guess. And Libs.
Yesterday I made pickled beets. I used this recipe and it’s seriously perfect. To think I was going to halve the recipe? I should have doubled it, Shannon’s already eaten half a jar.
Three jars. I expect them to be empty by the week’s end.
Today I made blueberry jam because blueberries are on sale and what is a girl to do with 4 cup of berries? Freezer jam. The direction was ‘crush’ the berries and I considered whizzing them in the blender but ended up just mashing them with my hands so it will be very chunky jam.
With crepes wrapped around giant blobs of it, I am very certain it will be most delicious.
Also of note, I saw an extremely cute car on my way to the grocery store and found out that Spongebob shills for corn watermelon.
If I were to send an open invitation for a canning party, here at my place (I have 2 kitchens and buckets of space) would anyone out there be interested?
Also, what can anyone tell me about Athens, Georgia? I have been looking at real estate there and for some reason I’ve got it in my head that it’s where I must live. Is it nice there?
I’d be so down for a canning party! It may have to be a on a weeknight though…
I haven’t been to Athens, but I have spent time in the area, and it is beautiful!!! Red earth, kudzu, lots of green…but it is sooooo humid (way worse than TO). Warm all winter tho’
The hell with athens… Go to Asheville,NC.
Yay! There is another beet lover in the world! So glad you enjoyed the pickles. (And they’re even better after sitting in the refrigerator for a couple of days, if you can get them to last that long.)
Can you recommend a real estate agent in Asheville? I had a friend with a home in Saluda, which I believe is near Asheville, and by all accounts, it’s amazing. I never went.
I seriously love beets. I love them raw, roasted, boiled, pickled…what other versions are there? I made beet risotto once, it was ok but not the best.
I wish I could. I was just up there a few weeks ago. My brother is there now. He’s got a place up in the mountains and it’s probably about as close as Saluda to Asheville.
I came close to buying a house in Asheville. When I was up there, I did spend a little time wondering why I hadn’t.
1) I love beets. I never buy/cook/eat them because Adam hates them. Every once in a while I bring them home and make him re-try them because I find it impossible that he would hate something so great. But to no avail.
2) I would adore a canning party. But the 5 hour time difference makes scheduling tricky. Plus, here in Jolly old Angleterre we don’t have anywhere to keep the canned goodies once they are done. We have a fridge the size of a cooler and no closets/pantry etc.
England really is behind the times when it comes to cold storage. It was with complete joy when I was there at 18 years old and being offered my first legal beer. Then Uncle John got it out of a closet and I was repulsed. Warm beer, not so much.
Some people are just WEIRD when it comes to beets, right Ali?
Georgia is hot. Hotter than it was here this weekend. I’m going there this week…again. Ugh. Athens is famous for the B-52s and for not being where the real housewives of Atlanta are from.
If you want to work a corporate job, be prepared to drive into Atlanta like everyone else and during winter, when there’s 1″ of snow, be ready to take the day off.
re: beets
PINK POOP!