Canning & Preserving - - Foods of Love

In times past, canning and preserving foods was a necessary way of life. It ensured that foods usually available only during certain seasons could be enjoyed throughout the year and that none of the harvest was wasted. While it may still be a way of life for some, for the most part canning and preserving today are done for different reasons -- tradition, extending homegrown produce shelf life, gift-giving, or, for the sheer pleasure of doing it. Everyone has their own process and their own recipes. I love the recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. This is the food of love.

My Granny on my dad's side was so good at this. She would "put up" (the accepted term for canning and preserving) field peas and beans, tomatoes, squash, peaches, pears, apples, and all kinds of jellies, jams, and preserves. My favorite, hands-down, was her fig preserves. Oh, my goodness. You could sit me down with a hot pan of biscuits and a big jar of those preserves and I would be in hog heaven! I have been in search of anything that would come close to her preserves since she passed away and I have not found it. As I said, these are foods of love, and I'm sure my love for her preserves had everything to do with the love she put into making them.

I always have the best time going through the farmer's markets, produce stands, and specialty shops looking for my next favorite jar of jam or preserves to take home with me. I could spend a small fortune on this alone! There is a truly wonderful establishment near me that sells some of the most delicious jams, jellies, preserves, salsa, pickles, turnovers, and pies. Going into Stephens Farmhouse on Highway 99, just outside of Yuba City, California, is a treat for the eyes, nose, and taste buds! My favorite is the Peach Cobbler Jam. Or is it the Olalaberry jam? Wait, I think it's the fruit turnovers. Maybe it's the Marion Berry pie. Hold on, I really love their cornbread, too. See! I have no control when I go to Stephens Farmhouse!

I sent my sister Lisa and her husband Wayne there last year and they called to tell me never to send them there again - - that they spent over $100 on their first visit and now they're going to have to keep going back! We just laughed and laughed over that! In fact, they have become known to the folks at Stephens Farmhouse as the "Pot Pie People" because Lisa and Wayne go there just to buy the chicken pot pies.

During the holidays, you can see the lines out the door of people waiting to pick up their specially-ordered pies. They even get asked to deliver their canned and preserved items to Yosemite National Park. If you ever get out this way, be sure to stop and visit the folks at Stephens Farmhouse.

You've heard me talk about my very best girlfriend in the whole wide world, Ms. Etta Jean? Well, besides being a killer-griller, she also puts up some of the best peach jelly I have ever put in my mouth! My other very best girlfriend, Ms. Corene (who was my partner in crime when we made the Minion cupcakes) does amazing things with apples, peaches, blackberries, and more. My friend down in Conejo Valley, California, Ms. Shirley, makes really delicious plum jam. And my Aunt Kathy from Vonore, Tennessee (who is really more of a big sister than an Aunt) just sent me some of her wonderful homemade pear preserves, pear chutney, blueberry jam, salsa, and some apple butter from the Amish community where she lives. Oh, am I going to enjoy all of that!

Every jar, no matter who filled it, says love. If I could send you all a jar of something, I would surely do it. There's nothing better in this world than being able to see, smell, taste, and feel the love of homemade foods and goods.

It would be so wonderful to hear from you. Would you share your favorite go-to places for canned and preserved foods? Tell me some of your favorite memories of a "food of love" you received? Or feel free to share one of your best or most treasured recipes!

Thanks for stopping by and chatting at the Kitchen Counter. Much love to y'all!

--Lynnwood Earl