Summer is finally here, well it seems like it should be some days! Lately my coastal-area seems to be still stuck in spring with lots of windy, rainy days. Not always good for gardening, but most times it means a later harvest, if we can hold off early frosts. Everyone loves summer for the farm-fresh produce from the farmers markets and the taste of a warm just-picked tomato from the vine, sweet corn on the cob, and juicy watermelon.
We all spend the winter daydreaming about all those yummy summer foods that are nowhere to be found. So, this year why not save some of those all time favorites and give yourself the opportunity to savor their tastes throughout the winter while also saving yourself some money too by canning!
Sunday, July 14th is National Canning Day! I love the summers just for canning all those fresh fruits and veggies, most my family and I will pick throughout the seasons as they change, as long as I can get to them before they eat them all, we’re stocked for the winter!! There’s nothing better than a cold winter day and using your canned tomatoes for homemade vegetable soup, chili, or your own pasta sauce. Or those cold Sunday morning days, when all you want is a small taste of summer you can go to the pantry and pull out a jar of peach marmalade or strawberry jam! (I always give some away too!) 
Now’s the time to run out to those you-pick farms and local farmers markets to stock up on blueberries, blackberries, peaches, plums, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, asparagus, green beans, peppers, onions, and carrots. The list is endless! Make sure to stock up on ball jars and lids to (they tend to sell out-even at Walmart) towards the end of July! I love 
using the vintage ones because they are so pretty but hard to find sometimes! (Just make sure you sterilize them really well first!!)
Grow your own, pick your own, can your own! Know where you’re food comes from, how it’s processed, and have the freshest ingredients you can all year round. So throw a canning party this weekend, bring a friend over, grab the kids, or just hide in the kitchen alone. You’ll be so happy this winter you did! For lots of recipes visit www.canningacrossamerica.com
Celebrate big on Sunday! I know I will be canning peaches and blueberries to start! Happy Canning!! (My tomatoes from last year-still have 2 left!!)
Relates Articles:
- Food Canning (www.foodinjars.com)
- National Can-it-Forward Day (www.freshpreserving.com)
via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://farmfoodieandfitness.com/2013/07/12/celebrate-national-canning-day/ http://farmfoodieandfitness.com
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