I came across a great deal on peaches the other day at our local fruit farm down the road. Jackpot! It was a volume discount sale. In order to get the great price, I had to buy a few...
5 pecks to be exact! I was so excited to go and pick them up the next day. We got up bright and early, stopped by the farm, then went to buy canning jars. I love fresh peaches, but obviously we can't eat that many, so we canned them for the winter. My kids enjoy canned peaches and I like that I can make them with little or no sugar added.
My problem with canning is that it always sounds like a good idea. Exciting actually. It feels like I am doing something good for my family, and saving money, and learning self reliance....until I am in the middle of the canning process. My kitchen turns into a hot sticky mess, I'm wondering why on earth I would put myself through this, peach juice everywhere, slippery peaches that are impossible to pit (even with free stone peaches) without hurting myself. Two cuts from the pits and a rubber glove later...
I had 21 quarts of peaches, a fresh peach pie (made the next day), and a peck of fresh peaches for us to enjoy. Now who is excited to can? I don't mean to be such a downer, but it always ends up being more work than I anticipate! Was it worth it? Sure. But I'm not looking forward to canning again anytime soon.
See, I say that, but if another deal come along, I'll be giddy as I drag my kids to go pick up our produce in large quantities, lol. I was so productive that day that I spent all afternoon canning and was too exhausted to feed my kids a quality meal that night, so to the McDonalds drive-thru we went. They thought they hit the jackpot, each getting a Smurf Happy Meal, and I had to laugh at my lack of mothering skills in my attempt to be self reliant...oh well.
See, I say that, but if another deal come along, I'll be giddy as I drag my kids to go pick up our produce in large quantities, lol. I was so productive that day that I spent all afternoon canning and was too exhausted to feed my kids a quality meal that night, so to the McDonalds drive-thru we went. They thought they hit the jackpot, each getting a Smurf Happy Meal, and I had to laugh at my lack of mothering skills in my attempt to be self reliant...oh well.
This was the scene the night I made the pie. I gave Kaylee a taste and she LOVED it. I came into the kitchen as she was helping herself to a few more bites. It was the BEST peach pie I had ever tasted! And I can't take the credit, the farm fresh peaches made all the difference. I think I will make a couple more this weekend and freeze them. The peaches are ripening very quickly and won't last past Sunday and these will be nice to have!
I just love this time of year!
That is seriously impressive. Your pie looks divine too. :) I bet it was a ton of work but it looks worth it for sure.
ReplyDeleteOur peach trees have just burst into flower here, we have a few around our property but the fruit flies always seem to get them before we do!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Really funny post! You really made me laugh! Canning is a really messy job at times! I make jam, pickles, beets & salsa. It's fun if you have a friend over to work on the project with you, but it is very tiring work! I also try to pre-plan my meal for canning day and have something already made or in the slow cooker because at the end of the day...you are completely exhausted just like you said! I would have loved to help with a project like this! Have a wonderful weekend! Angie xo
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ReplyDeleteLisa!
Yes, canning is quite a project and quite messy too. But, in the dead of winter when you're snowed in, bring out a quart of those luscious home canned peaches and you'll be transported to a warm, sunny summer day...and probably your neighbors won't :) Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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Thank you and I hope you like it :)
Haha, I feel the same way about canning! Super self sufficient and excited and raring to go, and then it comes to the middle...the nitty gritty and I'm like...oh, why am I doing this? Good for you, it makes you feel great when it's done :P
ReplyDeleteWow. Look at all those peaches!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was hard work but the peaches look very cute in those jars, and you're pie looks delicious :)
I would just like to thank you for your blog, I always look forward to your posts and they always brighten my day! Lucy xxxx
hard work, but so worth it! Your pie looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI have just put away 5 pecks of peaches too and got 21 quarts and have made 2 freezers of homemade ice cream from the ones I kept on the counter! I love to can!
ReplyDeletetoo funny! i was thinking the same exact thing the other day as we made 8 gallons of pickles and 16 loaves of zucchini bread. sad part is this is just the beginning of canning season for us. the garden is overflowing and i hate to see something go to waste. wish we had fresh peaches up here (nh).
ReplyDeleteI canned 48 lbs of peaches with friends yesterday too and totally agree - it is alot of work but oh so exciting. We made 12 pints of peach salsa, 8 pints of peach barbecue sauce and 8 quarts of peaches. I was absolutely exhausted afterwards and that was with the help of 3 friends! We did 50 lbs of tomatoes awhile back and then I made tomatillo and green chili salsa a few weeks ago!
ReplyDeleteYummy!
Lori
I was smiling as I read your post, since I also tend to have a very short memory about the time some things take! I adore peaches, so I'm drooling at this post wanting a piece of your peach pie. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find a deal on peaches so canning would make sense! Can you share your low sugar recipes? We do sweet corn here in Iowa. ;)
ReplyDelete