For every house is built by someone,

but the builder of all things is God.

Hebrews 3:4






Monday, August 2, 2010

Canning Cherries and Peaches


Would you like to see what we've been
canning lately?
We started out with picking cherries a few weeks ago,
some of you may remember from a previous post.
We had so much fun.


 Aren't these gorgeous?


These happened to be sour cherries so we
took them home and made cherry pie
filling.
We then ordered sweet cherries from our
coop and canned more pie filling.



I love having homemade pie fillings on hand in
case I need to make a quick dessert.

Yesterday, I made my first pie from
SWEET cherries and I have to be honest with you
I like the sour cherries better in a pie.

Now on to the peaches!

Our peaches also came from our coop and
 were simply delicious.
Yum!
Some of them were eaten fresh and some, by my
son's request, were canned.
 I must admit, blanching and peeling are not
my favorite parts of the process.
 I like to heat mine up in a very light syrup.

 Packing peaches neatly in the jars can be an
art in itself.  Some ladies pride themselves on how
pretty they look after processing.
I don't think I'll be winning any blue ribbons at the
fair.
Into the water bath canner they go!

Here they are.
I just can't seem to get rid of that open space
at the bottom of the jars.
Do you have any little secrets on this?
I would sure like to know.



***
Warm Country Blessings,


Christa

13 comments:

Mrs. JP said...

I don't have any canning secrets for sure. I freeze the peaches that I don't put in jam. Your cherry pie filling looks so yummy.

Unknown said...

I usually have a bit of open space at the bottom of my jars too, but I have minimized it by really packing the peaches in the jar. They are very forgiving and fill the jar better after processing if you really pack them in. Yes, it IS an art, and like you, I won't be winning any ribbons at the fair for pretty jars! Your cherries look beautiful...so does your pie! Yum!

Lady Farmer said...

Oh, Christa! I'm with you ~ I don't like the blanching and peeling of peaches either! But I do love eating them in the winter!
My peach halves fill up the jar almost completely, but the sliced ones do have space at the bottom, as do most of my other fruits. I figure you just get more juice that way! ;~P
But I think you are wrong ~ your peaches look beautiful, and so do your cherries! I don't think there is a prettier thing in a kitchen than those sparkling jewels shining down with their glorious colors everytime one opens the pantry or cupboard door! What gratification to know that, though it was hot, hard work, all that gathering and processing will keep our tummies full and happy this winter! No store canned goods can compare! I'm sure your family would give you a 'blue ribbon' for all your beautiful jars of goodness!
Be Blessed!

Deanna said...

Enjoyed visiting your blog and reading about the cherries and peaches.

I have never canned...and have felt like a link was missing in my life. I hope to take the bull by the horns and do this.

God bless and the pie looks delicious,
d

Tea said...

Mmmm, it all looks good! I want to learn to can, but it seems really intimidating to me. I think it's great that you did all of this!! :)

Unknown said...

Christa, Don't be too hard on yourself. I think they look wonderful! I'm quite the lazy fruit gal. I hate blanching and peeling, and thankfully, my husband actually prefers the skins left on, BUT, I freeze mine, so I can do that. I don't think it would work to leave the skins on if you are going to can the peaches. If the electricity ever goes out for a long period of time, I'm going to loose a lot of fruit!

Mrs. E said...

How wonderful... canning is SO fun! ;)
You have inspired me to do some canning.
Your cherry pie filling looks SCRUMPTIOUS!! :)

Many Blessings~ Miss Jen

Mountain Home Quilts said...

Are you hot packing your fruit? If peaches aren't hot packed then they will move up the jar like that and cause that "space."
Your pie looks yummy but I am with on on the "sour cherries make better pies." I love the picture of the 3 jars of cherries on the top of your blog. The rafia gives them a sweet, homespun touch! :)
What co-op do you use? Is it local?
Sorry, all that was a lot of comment! :)

Christa said...

Thank you all for your encouraging words and input on canning. I appreciate you all so much.
~
Miss Mountain Home Quilts - I did heat my peaches in the light syrup, does that count as hot pack? Maybe I'm not heating them through enough. I must say though that I'm also hesitant to pack them in there tight. What do you think? Maybe you can do a post on your blog on hot packing. Just a thought.

Christa

Sharon said...

What a beautiful and delicious post Christa! Everything looks so pretty, I love it. I too am another Sur Cherry Pie gal :) I wish I knew more about canning to help you out. Thanks so much for sharing your VERY productive and fruitful day with us :)

have a blessed day!
Sharon

Jennifer said...

whenever I can peaches I get all that liquid at the bottom too. No clue how to get rid of it. I think your peaches look great though.

Anonymous said...

It looks so good! Could you post your cherry pie filling recipe sometime?

- Megan

Camille said...

Dear Christa ~ Such GORGEOUS produce you have!! LOVELY peaches and cherries...I think they look BEAUTIFUL!! AND...I have done many peaches in my day and have a space too. I tend to slice mine though...maybe they can be packed in tighter that way? I *love* peaches...SOOO yum! Your pie looks amazing! :)

Love to you!
Camille