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What else should I can this summer?

So far, I've done a lot of fruit canning. I've done syrup, jam, and preserves from raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches, and also some peach and cilantro salsa. I have plans to can about 40 lbs of tomatoes in a few weeks when I can get a few boxes of #2 tomatoes from Billy's at the farmers market.

What else should I can this summer? I've been thinking about attempting sauerkraut - is this crazy? What about pickles? Other savory deliciousness?

Also, if I'm canning things in large quantities, is there a good source for bulk organic produce?

Share your preserving wisdom with me.

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  • Flaming_arrow_small
    Reputation: 135

    Almost all the farmers at farmers markets can supply you with boxes of seconds; just ask. Sometimes they'll have a stash the same day, or can take your request for the following week.
    And for supplies, I suggest McLendon's Hardware stores. There are a handful of them, but none in Seattle proper.
    Pickling is a great way to get into savory canning without having to switch to pressure canning techniques, although maybe you're already comfortable with that since you're doing tomatoes. Duris Cucumber Farm in Puyallup is an amazing source for spices and ingredients; there are so many variations on cucumber pickles. Pickled onions are nice as a flavoring ingredient in salads and sandwiches; Mexican pickled carrots are delicious, too. Fruit mustards (mostardas) are great, particularly as a side to meat dishes. Onion jam is another good one; caramelized onions are good under pretty much any circumstances. Apple butter and apple sauce are just around the corner, local cranberries show up in October, and then you can make some quince paste (membrillo) in November. Hello, cheese plates!
    With sauerkraut, you're getting into a whole different world of food preservation, at least if you want to do traditional lactobacillus kraut. A fair amount can go wrong here; make sure to do plenty of hard core science/food safety research about Ph before digging in.

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  • Cateyes_small
    Reputation: 2173

    For bulk produce, I've had luck with the farm stands along Highway 2. At most of them, you can buy whole boxes of fruit, rather than a small bag.

    If you're out near Leavenworth, it's worth stopping at Prey's Fruit Barn, just before you get to Cashmere. Nearer to home but also on Highway 2, near Goldbar is another big fruit stand, the name of which I can't remember, on the south side of the highway -- they have boxes of most of their produce that you can buy.

    In Carnation, call Remlinger farms, though in my experience they are a little more expensive. They do U-Pick, too, which is fun.

    If you're out near Bothell, the Yakima Fruit Market on Bothell Way is legendary -- they always have AWESOME produce, and it's mostly all grown in the Yakima valley.

    As for what to can, pickles are definitely great, and are great to go with drinks and appetizers. I'm also a huge fan of basic plum or apple butter, where it's basically just sugar, fruit, and some vanilla seeds. Fruit butters are great because they're usually a little more tart than jam, and go great on toast OR with a ham or pork roast. When I was a kid, plum butter was the standard accompaniment for pork chops.

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  • Ava_small
    Reputation: 539

    Pickled beans and carrots are perfect with bloody marys. A LITTLE bit of Cardimom in the spices is nice in the carrots just one pod, too much and they taste funny.

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  • Img_2371_small
    Reputation: 300

    The other day I made a fridge pickle with pepperoncini because they looked good at the farmer's market. I also have several jars of garlic pickled with various herbs, one always open in the fridge, that come in handy thrown into stews and whatnot. Plain old cucumber pickles (non-fermented) are a must on my sandwiches and even good in grilled cheese. I still haven't done much fruit canning, and pickling stuff is easy because it involves so much acid and no pectin.

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  • Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17
    Reputation: 628

    If blackberries are still in season, you should totally do those, or make some nice blackberry jam! Delicious! And, if you can find them--marionberries! Yum!

    You must really enjoy it! Good job!

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