I have never been a "morning person", not as a child full of energy and certainly not as an adult living with cranky joints and sleepless nights. It takes a lot to get me to set the alarm for 6:45am on a Saturday morning but I'm so glad I did this week.
My godson's mom is an excellent cook-- I mean seriously good and outrageously generous with her wide variety of culinary skills. Our table is regularly graced with everything from her jams and marmalade to pies, tarts and cakes. On Wednesday night we had her homemade butternut squash-filled tortellini. It's the third time in a month she's shared her pasta making skills with us! (Yum.)
So when she invited me to attend a pickling/canning class at Hollywood's The Farmer's Kitchen I thought keeping her company was the least I could do even though, thanks to a hefty case of arthritis, canning, a skill I used to be proficient in and enjoyed quite a bit, is now history. My hands haven't been able to handle all the necessary chopping, slicing and dicing for years.
But this kitchen was different. Twelve women were in the class and everyone shared in the peeling and cutting so the work was spread out and fairly manageable.
What did we make????
Spicy Dilled Carrots, Red Onions in Balsamic
and Vietnamese-Style Parsnip and Daikon Pickles.
Yeah! I actually helped make these delicious, locally grown treats and I'm feeling really good about the sense of accomplishment.
But I didn't stop there. Oh no, no, no.! I went a little crazy....
Tomato Marinara Sauce, Corn Relish, Apple Sauce
and three kinds of grape jam.
Okay, true confession, I didn't actually make those myself but the chef of the class did and they are so wonderful I had to take a stash home. Since Chef only cans what's in season, I bought enough to last a while. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.)
Trust me on this, they are pure heaven.
As for this Sunday... I'm sleeping in-- FOR SURE!
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My sweet friend and blogger extraordinaire, Holly of What Your Mother Knows But Won't Tell You had foot surgery this past week. She'll be missing in action for a little while through her recovery. Please stop by and show her some love.
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How's your Sunday?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
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56 comments:
Joanna, that all sounds absolutely fabulous. I've never done any canning but, being a Southern girl, I've certainly been the recipient of many fabulous goodies from pickled okra ( one of my favorites ) to peach and muscadine and scuppernong jam ( grape varieties I only see in South ).
Isn't arthritis awful! I'm 66 but, I've been in such pain lately,I just saw my orthopedist Tuesday ( my knees and shoulders have hurt intolerably ). After x-rays, he tells me, on a scale of 1 - 10, in terms of severity, I'm a 6 and he foresees total joint replacements for me in the near future. Because of my gastric ulcer, I can't take NSAIDS. I can hardly wash my hair anymore!!
They looked pure heaven. I love pickles and stuff. Not to eat on their own but with rice!
Salmon Omega (fish oil, available in tablets, easy to take) has many benefits including help ease arthritis pain.
Happy Sunday Joanna.
I would love to learn to can. And, I'm a huge fan of local and seasonal cooking. Way to Go!
Happy Sunday!
Wow - you've definitely broadened your pre-existing repertoire! Why does it make me think of Little House On The Prairie or The Waltons?
Beautiful! I used to can quite a bit..but alas, no more! But I loved the process when I did do it.
Your results are magnificent!!
And I bet...yummy!!
Hugs
SueAnn
The class sounds like it was a lot of fun. It produced some beautiful jars of delicious sounding food.
When I was a child, I would help my grandmother when she canned food from her garden. I've never tried it on my own.
Looks yummy!
Have a good week ahead,
greetings from sunny Casa!
Canning in Hollywood? Sounds ironic. You know--like rain on your wedding day. (Actually, I grew up on a farm and canned in the summer with my mom and grandmother. I know! Who would have thought? I'm so stylish and sophisticated!)
I used to can quite a bit, but stopped when I started working full time. Those canned goods look so pretty!
My younger daughter followed the kids dad regarding night owls. The other two kids and I were down for the count after dark and up at dawn. I have always been a morning person. The canning sounds wonderful. I have never canned. The red onions in Balsamic is my favorite. Like you, I would have bought at least the Marinara and grape jam. I left a comment for Holly, thanks for the heads up. Hope you have a healthy week my friend.
Looks and sounds yummy. I've never done canning and have always appreciated the effort and love that goes into it.
nice...so when are you inviting all of us over to share in your bounty...smiles. have a wonderful sunday jj!
I'm not a morning person either. A moaning person perhaps! Hope all is well JJ.
I am not a morning person either but am forced to be since I value having a little quiet and peace before my little's get up and they get up early. Ugh. My husband and I do quite a bit of canning. Some of it can be a lot of work and some not so bad. At the time it feels a little over whelming but when winter comes and we are enjoying the fruits our labor in the garden and then canning, it is worth it. Happy Sunday JJ!
Your canning efforts (and purchases) really make a pretty picture. I have to confess to not having that do it yourself predilection and I feel a little humbled by those who do.
A Domestic Goddess!
Love it!
that's a brilliant way to spend time.
Wow, I'm impressed. I never learned to can and with just 2 of us in the house it seems like we'd never be able to eat it all anyhow. I admire you for getting up early and having such fun doing it. I too have a lot of arthritis in my hands and doubt I would enjoy it for that reason alone. sounds like a fun day with a lot of fun women!!
wow, those cans look delicious, can't beat homemade. Such a variety of stuff too.
Canning scares me. Maybe it shouldn't!
Looks like you brought home some great loot from the class!
This sounds like a whole lot of delicious fun! I would love to have gone, too. I've always wanted to pickle stuff here in Hawaii. You've got me motivated now.
I LOVE canning. So therapeutic! I didn't make anything this year because my garden was so piddly. :( Always next season!
That corn relish is making my mouth water.
What a fun afternoon! And look at all the yummy stuff you came home with! Did you ever get your three bean jar open??? Have a wonderful Sunday!
There is no fragrance or taste better than opening home canned goods in the winter. I used to do it but we sold the country house with the garden. ( which sounds way more grand than it was) I loved making the end of year garden relish we called picalilly. Everything that was left went into it. All of yours look lucious.
Looks like fun, and totally yummy! Reminds me of my mom and dad canning tomatoes, my grandma Burkie making chili sauce, and the comforting smells generated by their artful cooking! I'm enjoying my Sunday, slept in this morning and am now housecleaning, as I watch the Seattle Seahawks work to make some points.
Sounds amazing. I want a little of everything...except the onions.
you are going to rewarded for getting up early with that tasty stuff.
I know words don't make sense at times but do you happen to know why is called "canning" inside of jarring or glassing or ?
Got a minute slide on over to my blog I have a question for you.
thanks
Wow...so awesome, Joanna! And, I'm most intrigued by the carrots. They sound divine!
I've had spicy dilled carrots and they were quite yummy! Enjoy
Years and years ago we canned green beans and jelly. Use to freeze vegetables from our garden too. I wouldn't know where to start now.
I've never canned except for jam and jelly. Sounds like not only fun but delicious too. Did Godson's mom make the pasta by hand as well?
i can't believe you canned all those things. looks like it was worth getting up early.
Mouth-watering!!!
Wow! this is fantastic! I love the thought of canning but then the actual doing holds me back :)
I have a son who likes to make Muscadine jelly. It is out of this yummy!
Lisa
That all looks so delicious. My mom knew how to can, but I never learned. I was afraid of the pressure cooker. It didn't help when my Aunt Sue's blew up on her leaving burns on her arms. Just not for me.
looks delicious.. nice ..
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What a grand time ya'll must of had. I'm quite curious about the marvelous sounding Spicy Dilled Carrots. Hint~hint!!!
I've been in TX this past week with my fam for Dad's memorial service and am just tryin' to catch up a bit.
God bless ya sweetie and have a great week!!! :o)
Both of my grandmothers were great at canning and always had a pantry full of wonderful, spicy tidbits to dress up Sunday dinners.
Dear Snarky Sister:
Bring the beans to me...I will get the jar open. I will. I will because I am Queen of The Universe.
And, even if I can't you and I can share some tea and time together and laugh.
Please tell your wonderful readers how much it's meant to get hellos from them who have come by to wish me well. It's always nice to get a visit when you're feeling less than...ya know?
Hugs,
Snarky Sister
What a blast and everything looks so beautiful. Cannng is one of my all time faves. Wish I could have joined you. How much fun is it when a bunch of hens gather to can the goods? Love it!
No pride quite like seeing all those jars, is there?
Butternut squash and pasta? Heaven.
I am totally impressed, I really would love to make my own jam! Have a great week!
They look incredible! I have always wanted to do this... love it :)
I had to help with caning growing up and vowed to never do it again. But I'd happily take home things someone else made and canned!
Oh how awesome! Those look gorgeous. Is it wrong that I'm afraid to can? But with a group, I'd totally do it. Love all that you made (and bought). I totally get the justification; I'd be right there with you!
Joanna, I'm not a morning person either. But I would get up and go to that class too. I want to learn to can veggies and jams. Both my grandmothers did it all the time, but its too late to get instructions from them now that I'm interested.
I know you'll be enjoying some good stuff for a while. Good for you for going.
♥ Joy
What a wonderful productive day.
what a fun idea! now i want to can something!
xxx
Totally delicious!
Thank you Joanna! what wonderful goodies you now have....smiles.
Sweet, Joanna :)
Aloha from Waikiki
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Hey, so glad you are still in Blogland... I am back but no longer eternally distracted ;)
Thank you for stopping by blog and your appreciation of my magnet inspired by Holly's Post.
I have not tried but canning sounds interesting and mouth watering.
sema
Now this is right up my alley. I would love to go to one of these classes. The output looks amazing and I bet it tastes fantastic too.
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