I was petrified...to use the pressure canner for the first time. I had visions of the heavy lid sailing across the kitchen and hitting someone (probably me) in the head. But I read everything I could find about pressure canning and I talked to people who had done it before and I watched a video on You Tube that showed a canner just like ours...and I made sure The Big Guy was home to stand between me and the stove. I'm not proud.
Turns out, it really wasn't all that scary. It worked just like it was supposed to, See? Beans!
These are three colors of beans if you're wondering why some look a different color -- green (duh), wax, and purple. I'm not really a fan of canned beans -- much prefer steamed and bright green, but if we're to not waste anything from the garden, canned or frozen they must be. Speaking of frozen things, we also picked all the corn. We were, unfortunately, a little late on that, so it was a bit sticky by the time it was blanched and stripped from the cobs. These are the drawbacks of only two people trying to work big gardens. But, don't be sad. We got 47 cups of corn kernels frozen into 10 lb bags, and it will be perfectly suitable for things like scalloped corn, corn pudding, corn bread, and as The Big Guy said, "Just throw it in anything for filler!" Nine out of ten cows across America agree. One out of two cats in the Ravensdale area agree, too.
Turns out, it really wasn't all that scary. It worked just like it was supposed to, See? Beans!
These are three colors of beans if you're wondering why some look a different color -- green (duh), wax, and purple. I'm not really a fan of canned beans -- much prefer steamed and bright green, but if we're to not waste anything from the garden, canned or frozen they must be. Speaking of frozen things, we also picked all the corn. We were, unfortunately, a little late on that, so it was a bit sticky by the time it was blanched and stripped from the cobs. These are the drawbacks of only two people trying to work big gardens. But, don't be sad. We got 47 cups of corn kernels frozen into 10 lb bags, and it will be perfectly suitable for things like scalloped corn, corn pudding, corn bread, and as The Big Guy said, "Just throw it in anything for filler!" Nine out of ten cows across America agree. One out of two cats in the Ravensdale area agree, too.
Ok. Next year you'll have to try "Dilly beans". Pickled green beans and my spin on them is to add extra garlic cloves and LOTS of red pepper flakes (or fresh hot peppers). They are a great appetizer, snack, side for a good sammie or my favorite use for them is in a Bloody Mary. You don't have to cut them up (better to be long) and you don't have to use a pressure cooker. On that note, I was scared to death to use my pressure cooker as well, and still get a little nervous each time I cook with it that the water will run out, but so far, everything has come out wonderful (and quick!).
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