The Summer of 2009 was a very good year. I had just started my fledgling food blog (which is why some of these photos are a little "fuzzy" from my former point-and-shoot camera). I had finally scratched something off my lengthy Recipe Bucket List.
I taught myself how to can my own jam, and I was hooked. The first jam I ever made was my husband's very favorite-- Olallieberry Jam. I bought a comprehensive Ball Jam Kit, read the Ball Blue Book of Preserving and meticulously washed my jars and equipment. It was easier than I thought it would be, and I was on a roll. That summer, I made all kinds of summer fruit jams-- including a fig jam.
I made my personal favorite-- Apricot-Pineapple Jam.
My newest flavor, this year, is this Easy Pineapple Jam.
Then, I started to venture into more savory jams/condiments, like this Peach Chutney.
I got really brave and made my first Bread & Butter pickles. Love!
Preserving is something that I really enjoy, and I have plenty of future recipes that I want to make. Who doesn't love to receive a jar of homemade jam, pickles or salsa as a gift? I won't lie-- canning isn't hard to do at all! I can bring home fresh fruit, from the farm, and be filling jars of fresh jam in 90 minutes....yes, start to finish. I almost feel like a pioneer woman, when I stack and organize my different jars of goodies. Store bought jam? Forget about it!
Ball is sponsoring their National Can-It Forward Day, on Saturday July 14, 2012. Set aside some time to learn simple ways to preserve the fresh food you love and share your canning knowledge with friends and family. Whether you watch us on-line, host a home canning party or join us in person, we hope you’ll share your stories. Like us on Facebook then post your Can-It-Forward Day stories and photos on our page and in your status updates. And, join the conversation on Twitter with #CanItForward. No matter how you participate, we want you to enjoy fresh preserving and Can-It-Forward Day.
There will be live canning demonstrations and recipes featuring home canned foods including Mixed Berry Jam, Kosher Dill Pickles, Pepper Jelly, preserving fresh tomatoes and making and preserving Italian-Style pasta sauce.
Ball is offering one of my readers a change to win a Ball Canning Discovery Kit. The Ball® Canning Discovery™ Kit provides an easy and affordable way to
start canning in just three simple steps. This kit is designed to
demystify the home canning process and make fresh preserving accessible,
for even the most novice canner. Whether a person has limited kitchen
space or looks to preserve a handful of fresh produce from the farmer’s
market, the kit offers a beginner’s approach to small-batch canning.
(If you're already a seasoned "canner" you can opt for one case of Ball jars, instead.)
If you'd like to be entered to win, here's how (sorry, but this is for US Residents only):
GIVEAWAY DEADLINE HAS PASSED. A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MY NEXT POST.
GIVEAWAY DEADLINE HAS PASSED. A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MY NEXT POST.
"Liking" the Ball Canning Facebook Fan Page and letting me know."Tweet" this giveaway, and let me know."Like" my Facebook Fan Page (... and thank you)Become a "Follower" on my blog (thank you!)
Pssssssssssssssst. I am a self-proclaimed gadgetaholic. I want Ball's new Automatic Jam & Jelly Maker. Too cool!
Good luck!
Good luck!
73 comments:
I love making Thai Strawberry Jam. Berry jams are so simple to make, like you said---who would go buy it when you can make it? :)
I'm also a FB fan of the Ball page
Am a fan of your blog's FB page.
My absolute favorite thing to make is Jalapeno Relish! But I can jams and most recently pickled beets. Love that green small batch rack, thanks for the fun give-away:@)
We canned some green beans and pickled beets this week and will begin tomatoes next week. My favorite thing to can is our tomato juice, which is simply juice from paste tomatoes (less watery) and a tsp. of canning salt.
I just started canning this year and a simple strawberry jam was my first thing to can then I moved on to blackberry from some freshly picked wild balckberies that grow near my home. I would love to move on to some chutneys and pickels next...this is a whole new world to me.
I "Liked" Ball on facebook
I "Liked" Feast for the Eyes on facebook
I just made some strawberry-rhubarb jam yesterday!
I liked Ball's FB page
I liked your FB page and don't know why I hadn't already!
Back in the day I used to can a lot of pickles and condiments but these days I have been rather complacent. Glad to see this is still one of your favourite pass times.
I've always wanted to try canning, and after reading this post I think I'm going to jump in this weekend - especially since I've been gifted a gallon of figs by a co-worker. :) The one thing I would love to learn to make is grapefruit marmalade.
I have always wanted to try canning. Would love to try making different jams.
I love making strawberry jam and canning ripe peaches
sunnybrookdc1@yahoo.com
i like ball on fb as christine hammer weideman
sunnybrookdc1@yahoo.com
i liked you fb page as christine hammer weideman
sunnybrookdc1@yahoo.com
This is SO timely! I was just on their site the other day to make a mental note of how much I would need to buy these wonderful jars! Thanks for the perfectly timed giveaway : )
Nicole
I just "Liked" Ball on facebook.
Nicole
I just tweeted about the giveaway! (AFitnessFreak)
Nicole
I "Liked" you on facebook!
Nicole
Of course I'm a follower on your delightful blog : )
Nicole
I just got this wonderful book called, Desserts in Jars and I can't wait to make something from it! During Christmas, I use jars for gifts that I make.
Nicole
I've never canned before (I know, I know...), but I think the first thing I'd can is some strawberry jam!
Thus far I've canned Olallie, blueberry, fig & apricot jam. I am intrigued by your Bread 'n Butter pickles. We only like the Fanning's brand. Do you know if your recipe is similar?
I love canning Peach Salsa and many other foods as well!
I "like you" on FB!
I already liked Ball's FB page
I already follow your Blog by email!
awesome!
blueblanket@hotmail.com
I really love csanning strawberry and jalapeno jam.
I Liked the Ball Canning Facebook Fan Page
I liked your facebook fan page "a feast for your eyes"
I follow your blog
I'd love to make blueberry jam, or grape jam - it sounds simple, but we have both blueberries and grapes growing in the yard and it would be awesome to be able to can them and make my own jam!
I also I liked your FB page, Ball's FB page and Tweeted this ;o)
I'd like to make preserves
i think i'd like to try to make a chutney that doesn't have refined sugar in it. i think canning is cool; i'd love to win! thanks for offering this!
Been trying to make green tomato pickles since Dec. but the crazy plant overwintered so well that the silly tomatoes kept turning red...not that I'm complaining. Tried canning using the hot bath method in the past, but failed miserably, so I stick to refrigerator type canning. Love raspberry jam!
I am so impressed with your canning abilities!! I haven't delved into the world of canning yet but i really want to start!
I've tried a few jams this year and have plans to make a few more! I know my family supports me 100%=)
Who knew it could be so fun to here your jar lids ping as they seal?!
Thanks for the giveaway,
Lethea
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
I follow via GFC as Luvdaylilies and I forgot to say in my comment that peach jam is my favorite(so far) to make!
Lethea
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
I enjoy reading your posts and I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Please read my newest post, Blogging Community Award, to learn what you need to do.
http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/07/11/blogging-community-award/
Jovina Coughlin
I like to can tomato sauce and green beans.
vklmarie@gmail.com
I follow your blog via RSS feed.
vklmarie78@gmail.com
I was curious and just got my Ball starter kit and accessory kit. I'm going to a farmer's market this weekend and I can't wait to see what this is like.
One question, even though I got the Blue Book with all the recipes, where can I find other ones? For example Ally mentions a Thai Strawberry Jam.
I canned pickles with my great aunt and uncle and peach jam with my mother when I was a teenager. Have not done so since then. I would love to start this tradition again - bread and butter pickles and peach jam, and probably try salsa.
I used to can pears, peaches and jams when my kids were young but haven't done so in years. I've been thinking about it and know my family would enjoy it over the winter. I'm a FB fan, Debby and am on my way now to visit the Ball site. I would love to win this giveaway.
i would can some dill pickles
I like the Ball Canning Facebook Fan Page
i "Like" your Facebook Fan Pag
i follow you via RSS in google reader
i tweeted - https://twitter.com/onitnaram/status/223514400529719296
I am so impressed with your canning skills!!! I know you said it is simple but I am so intimidated by canning. Maybe I should give it a try :) I would love to learn how to can those bread and butter pickles you haved pictured... YUM!
And of course I like you on FB :)
The only canning I have done so far is tomato products but I keep thinking about assorted pickles and jams.... maybe this year
I have never canned before but I would like to try canning green beans
peaches
aunteegem@yahoo.com
thanks
like Ball on fb Julie A Scott Laws
aunteegem@yahoo.com
gfc jelaws5
aunteegem@yahoo.com
like u on fb Julie Scott Laws
aunteegem@yahoo.com
I love Spiced Tomato Jam and can't wait to make it again this year.
tylo@tds.net
I love to can cherries for that special treat year round
I Like the Ball Canning Facebook Fan Page
https://twitter.com/immortalb4/status/224250275500797952
I'm a GFC follower
I have not yet attempted canning, but I'd love to try making strawberry rhubarb jam!
I also liked the Ball page on FB.
I also liked your blog's FB page.
I've been making freezer jam for years and love it!! I'm just now getting into the pickling stuff. Thank you for letting me know about your giveaway :)
I liked the Ball FB page :)
I tweeted your fun giveaway :)
I liked your FB page....twice...one as me and one as my own fanpage :) (does that count as two entries? LOL)
I have been following your blog for years :)
I will be doing your Apricot-Pineapple Jam. Thanks for sharing!
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