Canning and Freezing

[tndenim]

I was raised on a farm and mom canned. I learned a lot back then and helped with the gardening as a kid.

After mom and dad retired they moved here to Tennessee. I moved back in with them to go back and get my college degree. I worked close to 30 hours a week, went to classes full time and helped mom and dad with housework and canning in the summer. Myn dad's sis and her hubby moved onto the 20 acre place next door. My dad's brother, another sister of his, and the one next door and their spouses all went together and riased a huge garden. We would all go out and plant it. The guys weeded it and kepted it watered. Although at times sis and I helped on this part when we were free. And the guys would pick the veggies when it was time. They always raised potatoes. When the time came for that to be canned, we all worked it together. The guys would go out and dig up. When sis and I were not working, we would help them pick up and put into a small trailer. then we would can the small potatoes. Talk about a family gathering - lol.

Sis and I would par boil the potatoes, then put them in ice water so they could be peeled. All of us would sit around a huge table and work on the. the guys to. Sis and I usually packed the jars and put them in the pressure cooker. Then we'd split up after the canning was done. We'd do somewhere around 50 to 60 quarts each summer. but they tasted so good in the winter. and the huge potatoes we used to make frozen french fries with. Another long day of work.

I can still remeber all the jokes and stories told around the table while we all worked together. It was hard work - but also loads of fun.

[KathyJT]

Please share more recipes with us for canning and freezing. Thanks for sharing.