We Be Jammin'

I have been thinking about why so many of us enjoy canning/preserving the food we grow. There are many reasons, but for me, canning is what we as gardeners can do to continue the story of our garden. It is a way for us to capture the flavors and essence of the food we grow in a little "time capsule" called a canning jar. Later, we can open that time capsule and again experience the deliciousness of our garden and share it with family and friends.

Since we seem to be on the subject of canning all the wonderfulness of the garden lately, I thought you might be interested in this. The media is catching on and is starting to talk about the hot, hot, hotness of canning and preserving. Here they are a few articles for your perusal.

The Globe had an article about how younger generations are jumping on the can train. They are especially interested in pickles, chutneys and unusual recipes. Oh yeah, baby!

Even the Wall Street Journal is getting in on the story talking about how the worst recession in decades has caused trends toward eating healthier, growing our own food and CANNING.

The New York Times did an article last year on the popularity of canning. Writer Julia Moskin says, "Like baking bread or making a slow-cooked tomato sauce, preserving offers primal satisfactions and practical results." Don't you love that?

And good old NPR has several canning stories including Canning Makes A Comeback and Freezer Jam-The Baby Step to Canning.

There are many more great articles out there, but that should keep you busy for awhile...

Comments

[Aenne Carver]

I love the way you have linked wonderful informative articles to your topic. I enjoy your blog, keep up the good work!
Herbally yours,
Aenne carver

[Stevie]

Love the time capsule comment - that's definitely what it has been like for me. I open my wild huckleberry preserves and I remember the day I spent hiking in on the coast picking huckleberries like a brown bear (with lots of debris to pull out later -ugh!) The flavours in the jars are so much more fresh that what you can buy this time of year. Thanks for the articles!

[Theresa Loe/LivingHomegrown]

Thank you so much for your comment Aenne. I am so glad that you are enjoying the blog and information. Herb hugs back at ya!

~Theresa

[Theresa Loe/LivingHomegrown]

Stevie,

Well, I like what you said about memories flooding back when you open the jar! That is so wonderful and you are correct, each jar carries special memories of the gathering and making.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Theresa

[the inadvertent farmer]

That New York Times quote rock! Next year besides the usual I also want to try some new picking recipes, can't wait! Kim

[Theresa Loe/LivingHomegrown]

Yes, it does ROCK! I think that the fact that the NY Times said anything about canning rocks too!

I love pickle recipes too. Quick pickles are my fav because they are...well, QUICK. But making fermented pickles is fun too. It is like a crazy science experiment where you get to eat the results!

Have fun!
~Theresa

[Dina]

I'm glad that more people are catching on to canning -- I personally love to do it!