REAL Pop Corn

Last fall, our CSA included popping corn in our weekly shares.  They suggested we use it as a decoration, & then store it so it could dry out further through the winter.  Then we could pop it.

Using it to decorate was great.

Then I stored it away in a bag in the cabinet.

I wasn't sure about the whole popping aspect.
I grew up with the transitions from Jiffy Pop, to air popping machines, and finally microwave popcorn.  There's no way popping it directly off the husk could be easier, right?

But last week, we decided to give it a try anyway.
I figured the boys would get a kick out of it.

I didn't have a paper bag handy, and don't like to put plastic in the microwave, so decided to try it in a bowl with a napkin over the top.





The napkin I picked was a bit too small (I had underestimated the power of a popping kernel!)
Though the boys loved seeing the popcorn fly!




Here it is, in progress, taken while I switched to a larger napkin, wrapping it underneath the bowl.

Two ears filled the entire bowl (a 1.5 oz oval casserole dish), which the boys promptly gobbled up.  I'd figure on an ear per person.




Overall, it was a fun activity.
I'd even rate it as slightly easier than microwave popcorn, because you can pop it right in the bowl.  Can't get much better than that!

Canning

We weren't able to plant a veggie garden this year (too busy unpacking from our big move!)

So, we decided to sign up for a CSA. 

I was a little hesitant... I've looked into CSAs in the past & they often included lots of veggies that I wouldn't even know how to begin cooking!

What I love about the one we selected is that in addition to corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, & string beans, they include lots of fruit in the weekly pick-up.  We're talking BAGS of peaches, pears, nectarines, apples... and now that it's fall, a gallon of Apple Cider is included each week too!

It's been wonderful!

The only struggle we have had is eating it all before the next week's pick-up!  That's when I decided to try out some canning. 





My Mom gave me two dozen (at least!) of her canning jars.  I just had to pick up some new lids for them.

She also gave me an old cookbook on canning called "Sweetmeats" which was published in 1935. 

Check out some of the words of wisdom it includes:

"Surely, no housewife need be told the value of fruit in the diet- it has laxative values and is an excellent regulator..."

"It is better to do the preparatory work, such as getting out needed kettles, examining and cleaning jars, and similar matters the day before, so that early the following morning one may start in at the real work while still free from fatigue."

"One of the refreshing things a housewife can do is to keep a cold drink on hand and when tasks become tiresome, take a few minutes to rest and sip a refreshing drink."

HA!  I found it quite amusing!

For more practical (and modern) advice, I found this website really helpful: http://www.simplycanning.com/

I prepped my peppers, cucumbers & peaches.  Since I didn't have a very big cooking pot, I could only process two large jars at a time (or three small jars).  So, it took a little longer than it would otherwise, but it was a success!

Here's a pic of my peppers and soon-to-be pickles:


I definitely could have packed the cukes in there even tighter...

good to know for next time!

 

And I'm in love with how pretty the peaches look!

Realizing this is something I can actually do... I started the search for one of those really big cooking pots- but they were over $50 at Walmart! 

Then we went to a flea market and I found one for $5- WooHoo!

I tried doing a second batch in the new pot, but our stinkin' old stove takes FOREVER to bring that much water to a boil. So, I'll have to wait until we get the new stove to try it out.

  

Over the snowy Halloween weekend, we made a big batch of Apple Butter.  While we ate some of it right away, I also canned a couple of jars to have later this winter (SO yummy on toast or warmed on top of vanilla ice cream)!

I absolutely can't wait until the kitchen is done and I have a nice place to display our pretty, filled jars!