WHAT ARE YOU CANNING TODAY?

[murphysranch]

I've been in the kitchen for three straight days. I purchased a steam juicer and a Ball electric water bath unit.

Since I've been getting sooooo much free fruit and veggies, I've been dehydrating and juicing. So far, I've got 9 quarts of mango juice and 3 quarts of apple juice. I still have lots of mangos left to do (they are in my new chest freezer) and four large Costco bags of apples.

The steam juicer is interesting. Takes a couple of hours, and one needs to stir and mash periodically. I didn't like the mango juice but both DH and son liked it. So I'll continue. DH only drinks juice at lunch, and we go thru alot of Costco plastic containers of juice. My homemade stuff will be better for him.

 

[murphysranch]

 

[Mini Horses]

@murphysranch it's good to see as much alternative but useful handling of what many would toss. The concept of "trim out spots & use the good" has gone by the wayside for many. In the case of much of what you are dealing with with, it's that date thing the feds impose. Both good & bad for dates.

During your work days at the food bank, are you seeing less to give out, especially the protein sources? Speaking to some here -- both the volunteers & receivers -- that's happening in my area. Costs & less $$ make it so. Several group food drives are happening to help support the efforts.

Some govt "downsizing" has added people needing help.

 

[murphysranch]

@Mini Horses There is NO Federal mandate to print expired/use by/best by on ANY food product. Its a sham.

ONLY infant formula requires a hard stop date.

Sadly our ignorant Director of our Pantry mandates that anything older than 6 months from today's date, be thrown into the dumpster. GRRRRRR

Our County has had $900,000 cut from the Federal funding for this year. So yes, there is less to obtain and buy from the Main Food Bank. Yes, our pantry has to buy stuff sometimes.

Protein mainly comes from grocery stores. What they haven't sold, even on markdown goes into their freezers and is picked up by us 5 days a week.

 

[Mini Horses]

I'm told a lot of meats & cheeses come from the stores here, too. They're all cutting back. Trying to tighten their own bottom line -- even tho it's a tax write off. It's a tough time out there now.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Today - 2qts chicken thighs, 2qts drumsticks and 1 qt backs and various other yummies for the dogs.
Tomorrow I'll start canning various types of beans. We went through a LOT while the grands were here. Time to restock.

 

[flowerbug]

...
Tomorrow I'll start canning various types of beans. We went through a LOT while the grands were here. Time to restock.

i'm about to finish up some beans that were cooked and then frozen and they're always good as a basic start for a bean burrito (usually with cheese, whole milk yogurt (sour cream is too thick for me and i prefer the tartness that the yogurt brings because of the next things i add on this list ), cherry tomatoes (cut in half) or tomato chunks, lettuce, hot sauce and western dressing (artistically cross hatched on top - yes, i'm an arteeest!). it's simple and pretty quick and very filling and sticks with you. it does take some time to cook the beans but we usually do 12 quarts at a time and other than getting them going on the stove top there's not much of my time involved in cooking itself. just stir them once in a while until done.