Sugar free options?

[Britesea]

carrots were used as a sweetener during the Middle Ages, when honey was scarce and sugar was unheard of. They just cooked the carrots down to a paste and used in baking.

 

[creativetwinszoo]

I've used honey instead of sugar

 

[wyoDreamer]

Very interesting about the carrots. I can see where that would be so, since they are so easy to store.
I just learned also that carrots get sweeter the longer they are stored and they loose the carrot taste, so older carrots would be really good for sweetening things.

 

[Britesea]

Give it a whirl and let us know, @Denim Deb !

 

[kemps]

I too was gonna recommend growing stevia. Not only is a sweatner you can grow yourself but it's also way sweater than sugar meaning you need less and it's perfect for diabetics or even those on low carb diets. I actually plan on growing some myself as I like the idea of growing as much as I can myself. I can't start it now though as I will be moving in a month or so!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Stevia grows like a weed! We have some in two large pots by the front door and we had to cut it back several times during the summer. I tossed the leaves into the dehydrator and they are being stored in a canning jar until I can get around to making the extract.

 

[goatgurl]

if you like hot tea you can just put a stevia leaf or two in with the tea leaves and voilà, sweetened tea. mine grows well here too FEM. and i have had it come up the following year too.

 

[Britesea]

You can just grind the dried leaves to a fine powder for most baked goods. I would love to grow it, but it's not frost resistant at all- I would have to grow it in a heated greenhouse up here. I had one plant once, but when I harvested the leaves I got at the end of the summer, it was only about a teaspoon of ground powder- enough for a few batches of brownies but not enough to keep myself in sweetened tea.

 

[goatgurl]

@Britesea you just need a bigger flower pot. it isn't frost resistant here either but i cut and pick it all summer long to get enough. and i usually have more than one plant.

 

[creativetwinszoo]

Stevia sounds awesome!
Wonder how well it would convert for canning, as it is much sweeter than regular sugar?