How do you use grapes?

[Daisy]

I just got in from fighting a drunk swarm of bees off my grape vine, managed to pick a nice basket size. I took some to my neighbour, and put the best ones in the top of the fridge in the hope they freeze for a nice snack. Now I have about 3 kilos left, probably less once I go through and give the crap ones to the ducks. The grapes are mostly red, a little overripe and seedless. I am not sure what I will do with them yet - and probably wont decide until they are already in a pot. I'm thinking a sweet sauce of some sort or jam obvs, but im pretty bad at jam.

What do you do with your excess grapes?

 

[farmerjan]

I have heard that it is the new "rule" but I have never water bath canned any jam or jelly. You make the jelly, to the right temp etc...put it in the jars put lids & bands on, flip 'em over as you go, then turn them all back right side up after 5 min or so and let them cool and set up. The turning upside down heats and seals the lid to form the "vacuum" so it will seal and "pop" as they are supposed to.
He//, we used to put liquid paraffin on the tops of the jelly to seal them years ago...

 

[TexasLisa]

I just got in from fighting a drunk swarm of bees off my grape vine, managed to pick a nice basket size. I took some to my neighbour, and put the best ones in the top of the fridge in the hope they freeze for a nice snack. Now I have about 3 kilos left, probably less once I go through and give the crap ones to the ducks. The grapes are mostly red, a little overripe and seedless. I am not sure what I will do with them yet - and probably wont decide until they are already in a pot. I'm thinking a sweet sauce of some sort or jam obvs, but im pretty bad at jam.

What do you do with your excess grapes?

My grandmother used to make Grape Cobbler, Grape Juice, and Grape Jam. Brings back good memories!

 

[Britesea]

You could make freezer jam if you don't have a canner. Any container and top should work for that. Just have to remember to keep in in the refrigerator once it's opened, and use it up within a week.

Itty Bitty Concord Grape Pies

As you might recall, several weeks ago I attended Pie Party Live in New York City. It was a great experience where every attendee had to bring a pie. I am not a good pie

www.jerseygirlcooks.com

 

[Daisy]

I finished off the last of the pie and jam today. The ducks got some pie, a bit too sweet for me to eat that much of. I didn't end up making biscuits but did a few little tarts. I cant can so the jam was just in the top of the fridge and didn't seem to degrade much. It was really nice and I have had a few peanut butter and grape jam sandwiches this week,

I will put more effort into netting and water the grape vine next season because the taste was worth the effort.

Thanks for all the tips

 

[CrealCritter]

I just got in from fighting a drunk swarm of bees off my grape vine, managed to pick a nice basket size. I took some to my neighbour, and put the best ones in the top of the fridge in the hope they freeze for a nice snack. Now I have about 3 kilos left, probably less once I go through and give the crap ones to the ducks. The grapes are mostly red, a little overripe and seedless. I am not sure what I will do with them yet - and probably wont decide until they are already in a pot. I'm thinking a sweet sauce of some sort or jam obvs, but im pretty bad at jam.

What do you do with your excess grapes?

How To Can Grape Juice - A Step by Step Guide | Chasing Vibrance

How to Can Grape Juice - Canning grape juice is really simple and a tasty way to make your own fresher, healthier juice at home!

chasingvibrance.com

 

[Hinotori]

Juice and jelly is what I do.

I have a steam juicer that makes dealing with grapes easy. Just be careful not to burn yourself. I've done that enough times. I can the juice and let it set for a few months before making jelly so any tartaric acid crystals settle out. Crunchy jelly sucks. Grandma used to put the juice in the fridge for a few days to settle it out. Grape variety determines if there is a large amount tartaric acid.

You can always make raisins. I remember Mom used seeded grapes one year. That was.. um.. interesting .

We've canned whole seedless grapes and used them for pies. Or just eaten them. Small fresh seedless ones work good for pie as well.

My great aunt and uncle have a small vineyard. They had over 50 varieties at one point. Table, juice, and wine.

 

[JanetMarie]

I've made grape jam before with added pectin, and without. I liked it best without pectin, and like it tart. I've made a grape pie, and was just okay. I like the idea of grape filled cookies.

My husband made grape wine, and turned out good (he says, I don't/can't drink wine).

 

[Hinotori]

Don't flip. It causes false seals that release later. Sucks to waste all that work.

I've helped with enough open kettle canning as well to know that it's worth it to waterbath. Less failures.

Great grandma used paraffin and whatever jars she had available. Grandma did as well when she ran out of jars or lids. Traditionally made jams have enough sugar preserving them that you can just scoop the moldy part off the top and use the jam underneath.

I have a huge stockpot that I use when waterbathing half gallon jars of grape juice. Usually I just put a layer of rings on the bottom to keep the jars off. I now have collapsable silicone pot racks for canning in regular pots. For small jars I used to just put a cloth in the bottom of the pot.

 

[baymule]

I buy seedless grapes to make chicken salad. Cube up cooked chicken, chop celery, chopped pecans, grapes cut in half and just enough mayonnaise to bind it together.