Bountiful Baskets and Steam Canners

These beautiful pears were purchased through Bountiful Baskets.

We ate many fresh and then it was time to preserve some before they became too ripe. So, the new steam canner was brought out.

I love it!

This is for high acid foods only. 

It is a super canner that reduces the heating up process.  You follow all of the same times as you would with a water bath canner.

Also in our Bountiful Basket was a lovely pineapple.  I cut-up and we are enjoying the flesh and the rind/peel is now becoming Tepache (or pineapple beer - like ginger beer but pineapple)

It's like pineapple soda-pop.  How fun is that!

If you too have Bountiful Baskets available in your area they are a great way to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

~a little bird

Seed Starting Has Begun

I have started some seeds for this year's garden. 

Paper Pots with the seeds planted

 

Mini Green House

As soon as these sprout I will put them under grow lights.  Keep your grow lights about two inches above your plants so they don't become 'leggy'.

Foil lined tote with grow light in the top

I am trying to grow onions from seed this year.  They are starting to sprout.  

I have purchased Sweet Spanish Yellow Onion seed. 

Hoping to get a good start before it's time to set them out.  We can have a frost here as late as May 31st.

So our tender plants don't go out until mid to late May and then we cover them for protection.

I need to start some pepper plants as well.

The Family Room decor changes this time of year.  The plastic tablecloth comes out to protect the drop leaf table.  The grow light totes come out etc.  Not the most attractive but, I certainly enjoy the produce.

Happy gardening!

a little bird

 

Lime Preservation Update

 I wanted to do a follow-up post on the limes - it's been a month now so wanted to see how they were doing.

As you can see, they are lighter in color and have swollen some.

Inside they look fine.  I noticed the rind was a bit tough when slicing through.

The biggest thing is they are dry.  There doesn't seem to be any juice to 'squeeze' out.  The flesh tastes good and I put a slice in some hot water to make a tea and it has a wonderful lime taste.  

Last night we had burritos for dinner.  There is no juice to squeeze out, so I put a small amount of the lime flesh in mine, and it was good that way.

Conclusion: They can be sliced and added to a drink hot or cold, the flesh can be used and has good flavor, but if juice is what you want these do not work for that.  

I think the way that I will use them is in tea or in ice water to give it a lovely lime refreshing lift of flavor.  

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say an 8.  This is a good way of preserving the limes for a longer period of time.