Canning in a Heat Wave

73 this morning, sunny. We've had several sunny days in a row, with an afternoon rain on Sunday. Very humid.

So it's still August, and I'm still canning and freezing the good things our garden is giving us. This is yesterday's production: corn and cherry tomato salsa, pickled jalapenos, dill pickles, and tomato juice.

This morning we tried freezing corn on the cob. I've done this before and wasn't thrilled with the results, but I'm trying again. In this method, you cut the ends off the cob, leaving the husks intact, put in bags and freeze. I used the vacuum sealer, and I am hoping that makes a difference to the taste. Last time I tried it, the corn just didn't taste right. We shall see.

I used up a whole 5 pounds of cherry tomatoes to make the salsa--click the link above for the recipe. It's not a difficult recipe, just a lot of chopping, normal with any salsa I suppose. I substituted parsley for cilantro and used regular chili powder since I didn't have the chipotle kind the recipe calls for. It tasted good but I'm waiting to taste it cold on chips before deciding if it's awesome or not. The pickled jalapeno we have tried, and it's delicious. My jalapenos are not hot--I grow a mild variety that has the flavor but not the heat. 

I also divvied up some large packs of blueberries that I stuck in the freezer in their plastic clamshells; I put them in bags and vacuum-sealed them. So two jobs done already. Now peaches are in the sink and I will have to see what I can do with them, as they're full of spots and such. Not the best, but the only ones we have for this year.

The weather has been so humid, and will be getting hotter as the week goes on. We will probably reach the 90's today, so we're trying to get as much done before the afternoon heat as we can. I expect this heat wave will end with bad storms as that's the usual pattern. But meantime we may well have to break out the sprinklers and hoses again if we don't get at least some showers.

I went out last night and tried to clean up my late garden. The poor thing has been completely neglected these last few weeks and looks it. The kale is bug-eaten, the radishes have gone to seed, and I think Larry cut down some of the onions with the weedeater. Well, they were pretty covered up with weeds, so no wonder. We managed to salvage some of it. The Lutz beets look great, the third planting of squash is bearing, and the lettuce looks surprisingly good. Once this heat passes I will get out there and stick in some more seeds. And hope I can give it more attention now that we're almost through with the major part of the canning. I think.

Listening to the news of Afghanistan I have such mixed feelings. On the one hand, I firmly believe the US should never have gone in there, especially considering the sad history of foreign intervention in that country. Why should we have thought we would be any different than the English, the French, and the Russians? On the other hand, I understand the drive to contain terrorism. And the poor people caught in the middle of it all, or who worked with the US--their plight is truly frightening. I am not an isolationist, but there are times when I do wonder if we should just mind our own problems, and leave others to their own devices--or is that vices.

We spent Sunday in the backcountry of Calhoun county, at a friend's house so far back they can't get mail service. They are planning to sell their place now that the husband has health issues, and have lots of things to sell. We spent a busy afternoon looking through piles of stuff and just visiting, and then came home with a vanload. We will be going back soon for another load. This is one of the hardest, and yet in some ways, one of the best ways of finding merchandise for our booths. It is not easy to talk money and prices with friends, especially when they know I can't pay full value because I need to make a profit. But they know their things will find good homes, and I am honest with them about what I can afford to pay--if it's not enough, I'm not insulted, and if I offer less than they want, they understand and aren't insulted either. 

I'm sure there is other news, since it's been a while since I posted, but I need to get back to the kitchen so I will close now. I hope everyone is well, avoiding Delta, and staying cool.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.