What's your routine with canning?

[forestdale]

I love to see rows of preserves lined up in my cupboards. It gives me a feeling of security and well being, as well as something good to eat. My only problem when it comes to canning is that it never lasts! Recently I put up peaches and apples (the apples I picked free on the roadside) thinking I'd have enough for a few months. It's all gone. :rolleyes: The only thing I have left now are about 6 jars of tomato relish and 4 bottles of tomato sauce.

When I start preserving again I'm going to double the amount of jars I fill. I'm also going to try to do it more often.

What's your routine with canning? Does one weekend's work last a few months, or even a year? Or are you like me doing 6 jars at a time so they quickly disappear?

[Dee]

I went all out last year, so I do still have some tomatoes left, but not enough to get me till July when I can do up some more.

Corn has been long gone along with the salsa I made. The green beans came out yucky, and they were a pain in the neck to do, so I won't be doing those again. Something funny happened to my peaches, they are fading in color and don't look very good. I haven't opened a jar yet, but I'm not going to eat them. Have to do some research and find out what happend so I don't do it again.

I have plenty of applesauce left, but not apple pie filling.

It was a learning experience for me this last year. I found out what we really love, what worked what didn't and I will go accordingly this year. :)

[homemaker carol]

I'm with Dee. When I start my preserving later this year, I'm putting up double what I did last year. Last year was a bad year weather wise, so were all hoping for a great summer.

[pat]

I've never tried canning. Any food that gets put up has to be in the freezer.

[jlxian]

It has been too long since I canned anything except jelly for Christmas gifts.

But when I was canning a lot, there was enough to last a long time. I don't know whether it lasted because we just didn't use the stuff or because there was so much!

A lesson learned many years ago when I was still canning in cooperation with my parents, canning does not improve the quality of the product you start with! If the green beans are a little too far gone, too ripe, they will not turn out well. Unfortunately, I've canned a lot of green beans that were tough to start out with and those don't get eaten, ever. Waste of time!

[MandiDawn]

I do corn, carrots, green beans and spaggetti sauce every year and it lasts thru the year (and even over a year, I just keep eating the old until I get caught up)

My applesauce and jelly didnt' last all year, so I need to do more this year.

I can't wait to do peaches this year!!!

[heartathome]

I haven't caught the canning bug. I never seem to get enough out of my garden to can - although I do sometimes freeze tomatoes. Peaches will be coming in here soon, maybe I should try those. I should ask my Mom, she is still eating green beans she canned in 2001! She cans every year too. Oh, and she is 84 - still plants a humongous garden and cans and freezes.

[Twisti]

Ive never canned anything in my life...id love to learn...