We had a fun day yesterday. We went to an Apple Festival in a small town near us. Evie got to ride a few rides and eat some apples. They had several craft booths, but they were so jam packed with people that we didn't go look at anything. Afterwards we drove through the beautiful countryside. On our way home, we stopped at a road side stand and bought a bushel of McIntosh apples and a 1/2 bushel of Concord grapes. They both smelled so good. We came home and I started canning grape juice. I can it the old fashioned way, where you leave the grapes in the jar. I love canning it that way. It is so easy and fast. I canned 27 quarts in only 3 hours! They look so pretty don't they? Is it funny to say that about a canning jar? The longer the grapes sit, the darker the juice will be. I didn't sweeten the juice this time. I just put in grapes and water. Last time I made the juice, I put 1/2 cup of sugar in each jar. Now I think that if it needs sweetening, I will just add some stevia (which is a natural sweetener). Next on the list of things to make is applesauce!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Canning Grape Juice
We had a fun day yesterday. We went to an Apple Festival in a small town near us. Evie got to ride a few rides and eat some apples. They had several craft booths, but they were so jam packed with people that we didn't go look at anything. Afterwards we drove through the beautiful countryside. On our way home, we stopped at a road side stand and bought a bushel of McIntosh apples and a 1/2 bushel of Concord grapes. They both smelled so good. We came home and I started canning grape juice. I can it the old fashioned way, where you leave the grapes in the jar. I love canning it that way. It is so easy and fast. I canned 27 quarts in only 3 hours! They look so pretty don't they? Is it funny to say that about a canning jar? The longer the grapes sit, the darker the juice will be. I didn't sweeten the juice this time. I just put in grapes and water. Last time I made the juice, I put 1/2 cup of sugar in each jar. Now I think that if it needs sweetening, I will just add some stevia (which is a natural sweetener). Next on the list of things to make is applesauce!
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5 comments:
Wow that grape juice looks great. I've never heard of canning grape juice before.
That's just how my Mom use to make her grape juice! Oh Jen, you just go girl! I wanted to do more peach/pineapple jam but I'm too late. Peach season has ended! Boohoo!
Wow, I am so impressed! They look BEAUTIFUL. Jen, do you use a pressure cooker when you can or the hot water bath method? I'm just learning how to "can" and am going to start with making preserves and use the hot water bath process. I need to do some more research because I'm not sure which method to use for what! Anyway, you are so talented! And, if you have a good applesauce recipe you MUST post it because apple season is just starting here and we'll be going to the mountains soon to get a bunch of 'em! I want to make some applesauce too. :)
SM, the taste is SO much better than store bought. If you lived closer, I would give you a jar :).
Daisy, you are so sweet :)! I'm sorry you weren't able to make more jam. The jars you made sure looked yummy!
Thanks April :)! I used the hot water bath method for the juice. It is super easy. All I did was put 2 cups of grapes into each jar, and filled each jar with boiling water with 1 inch of headspace. Then you put the lids on and hot water bath them for 10 minutes. That's it! It has to be the easiest stuff of all to can. As for applesauce, do you have a vitamix yet? The old fashioned way takes a lot longer. The vitamix way is a lot faster. Let me know if you got a vitamix, and I will tell you how I do it that way. If not, I will give you the old fashioned method recipe :).
Hi Jen, I don't have a vitamix yet (boo) so would need the old fashion version. I have some recipes, but like getting them from someone who's actually used them. No rush on this by the way... just whenever you have time. I really appreciate it! :)
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