"Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark."

~ Saying of the Gladdagh Gypsies of Galway


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Strawberry Season & A [Canner's] Giveaway


Alas, Strawberry season is my area has arrived - early none the less - which is fine by me!
I have a hard time buying produce out of season [at the grocery stores] because you know, it never tastes like fresh, in season fruit. And then I am just disappointed.


I purchased 13 qts over the weekend for $2 a quart - total steal if you ask me!!
I bought them from a couple Amish families a few roads down from me.


I do still use white sugar in canning recipes. I would like to eventually convert that over to honey, but since we are talking alchemy here, a science, involving food preservation, I won't do it until I have a recipe for it :)

I like the preserving book Tart and Sweet. A lot of the recipes in there are simple enough and they don't call for gobs and gobs of sugar.



I canned up 12 half pints of Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Monday morning. And I have 4 quarts of Strawberries still macerating in the fridge for a simple strawberry jam. Oh yes, and I whipped up some Strawberries & Cream Popsicles too - perfect timing since the weather has been in the 90's!
I scored 4# of Rhubarb for $1/pound from my Amish neighbor down the road.

I fully intended to pick up lots more quarts this coming week to do more preserving with.
I plan to make more Strawberry Jam, Strawberry Balsamic Black Pepper Jam and I also want to try my hand at homemade fruit roll-ups!

One thing different with my canning as I start the season out is my use of the Tattler Reusable Canning Lids.
Tattler sent me some to try out and I was more than excited too. These lids are BPA Free, Reusable, Dishwasher Safe and made in the USA. 



These lids were easy to use and I 'prepared' them the same way I'd prepare the metal lids.
They all sealed nicely too. I have yet to wash and reuse them, but I suspect they'll do just as they are supposed to!


Tattler sent me a set of regular, and a set of wide mouth, lids and rings to try out.


And for one other lucky canner, they are going to send you a set of both too!!
All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is leave a comment telling me if you can and if so, what is your favorite recipe or food to preserve?

Earn an extra entry for liking The Life of a Novice on FaceBook too! 
(Let me know in you comment that you liked the FB page, please!)
Contest end Midnight on Friday - Winner announced Saturday!
Good Luck!

15 comments:

Susan said...

I am so jealous that you have strawberries already! We're still quite cool and I fear the berries will be behind. However, I cherries are starting to come in and that will have to be the first jam I make this year (not counting the dozen and a half of strawberry I did from California berries). XOXO

CrankyPuppy said...

What's my favorite canning recipe? Hard to pick just one, but I might say blackberry\strawberry jam because it's so delicious!

CrankyPuppy said...

I liked you over on Facebook (my acct is under my alter ego, thriftypuppy@gmail.com).

Thanks for doing this giveaway! I've been wanting to try the Tattler lids for a long time. They've been on my Christmas and birthday lists, but my friends and family think canning lids are a terrible gift. I disagree!

Camille said...

I have never heard of these lids, but will definitely check them out. We plan to can jam this year, and hopefully some tomatoes too! :)

Unknown said...

CrankyPuppy - I so agree, lids would be a perfect gift :)

katiegirl said...

Holy moly, $2/qt?!!! That is definitely a steal. We can't seem to get them for less than $5/qt around here!!! Crazy. I'd love to try the Tattler lids!

katiegirl said...

And I also liked you on FB. Thanks! :-)

Ehlara said...

I've never done a full-on season of canning, just sealed up a few jars of applesauce now and then - but this year I have planted a huge and ambitious veg garden, so I'm looking forward to canning the fruits (so to speak) of my labour! I'm far far North of you, though, so nothing here is ready yet. I'd love to try these lids!

Ehlara said...

I like you on FB (Louise C)

Amy said...

I just heard about these lids and can't wait to try them. We've been eating strawberries from our tiny patch so there will be none left for jam. I'm so jealous of your $2 quarts! I mostly can fruit and jam. I also liked you on facebook. :)

Nichole said...

I love canning! This year I hope my tomatoes do well so I can can some sauces, ketchup & salsa :)

Nichole said...

I liked your FB page :)

sierra said...

Strawberry butter has engulfed my life. It is so delicious that I may seriously never make apple butter again. The strawberry season has just ended here :( but I was able to pick some twenty pounds for 1.50$/lb from a local farm :D I already like you on fb (i totally swear I will get those echinacea seeds in the mail!).

xoxo - sierra

Stephanie said...

I love canning anything pickled but my prize canned recipe last year was a cranberry apple jam that was absolutely perfect for the fall. Here is a link to the recipe: http://courageouscanners.blogspot.com/2011/11/homemade-cranberry-sauce-just-in-time.html It was a favorite of everyone I gave jars to as well. So I definitely will be making that one again at the end of the season!

Stephanie said...

I also started following you on Facebook. Thanks!