by Renee Pottle | Nov 4, 2015 | canning, Grow Your Own Food
Do you still have large, ripe cucumbers lurking in your garden? Don’t throw them away, make pickles. We had a beautiful October here in the Mid-Columbia, but the time has come to clean out the garden. Sadly. I have been concentrating on the late tomato harvest,... 
by Renee Pottle | Sep 15, 2015 | canning, Canning and Preserving
Canning, freezing, and other creative ways to keep enjoying your garden tomatoes all year long. 1. If you have LOTS of tomatoes to handle, why not make your own fresher, healthier catsup? Find the step-by-step instructions on the Pick Your Own site. 2. On the other... 
by Renee Pottle | Sep 9, 2015 | canning, Canning and Preserving
Is it safe to can your homemade salsa? Under some circumstances, yes. Under other circumstances, no. “I have a great homemade salsa recipe. Everyone in the family loves it. Since I grow my own onions, tomatoes, and peppers I like to put up jars of salsa every... 
by Renee Pottle | Aug 29, 2015 | canning, Canning and Preserving
Do you have to use special salt when making pickles? Here’s a canning question I am often asked; “What is pickling salt?” Basically, pickling salt is regular, everyday salt with NO additives. Most regular table salt, iodized or not, contains... 
by Renee Pottle | Aug 18, 2015 | canning, Canning and Preserving
Can you use aluminum cookware when pickling? It’s pickling season here in the Mid-Columbia. My favorite local farmer is now taking orders for pickling cukes. Actually, his advertisement originally said “tickling cukes.” Obviously the... 
by Renee Pottle | Aug 15, 2015 | canning, Canning and Preserving
What is the best kind of vinegar to use when making pickles? Here is a question I am often asked; “What vinegar should I use to make pickles?” The answer? You can use any kind of vinegar, as long as it is at least 5% acid. Each vinegar adds...