Cowboy Candy, made with jalapenos and nalapenos

 I have been canning for a good number of years (at least 30) but I ran across something different that I just had to try this year. Of course with most things on the internet I ran across tons of different ways to make it. This got confusing until I realized I just needed to add the ingredients I new my family would like.

One major thing is we like hot but not to hot....I grow jalapenos  and a less hot nalapenos so I went with a 50/50 mix. I also thought my family would like chopped instead of sliced (thought would be better for mixing with cream cheese etc for dipping).

The finished product was really good! Jim even likes it on his morning eggs. Next year I think I'll try one batch with just jalapenos, since the 50/50 is so mild, just curious.

The recipe I used was (so I don't forget) 

1 1/2 pounds jalapeños 

1 1/2 pounds nalapenos 

6 cups sugar

3 teaspoons garlic powder

2 cups apple cider vinegar 

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Next year since we are using more as a condiment than dip I think I will slice them.

I also left the seeds in because most of the heat comes from the membrane inside the pepper.

I just put the last of the canned jars in the root cellar yesterday and the turnips and sweet potatoes go in today, then I'm done.

Can't believe I got out the seed catalogs to look over already, but can't wait for next year :)

Carey electric pressure /water bath canner

Decided to splurge a few days ago! Hubby went in to pick up my animal feed, and he did come out with just animal feed, but sometimes I/we get a little side tracked in the best way. Since I now have a glass top stove I’ve been concerned about using my canner, and because of this I didn’t can anything last year only froze. Well while hubby was in Orschelns getting animal feed he noticed their display of the electric pressure canner was on sale (last one). He came out and loaded the feed then told me, so I went in to check it out and came home with a canner! It was on sale for half price (Never have been able to skip a sale when it’s something I would use a lot). Once the initial excitement was over and we got it home I was a little bit nervous while unpacking it. I started over thinking (I don’t take to changes very well). So far though the only disadvantage I have found is that I can’t put as many jars in it as I could my old canner. I am now canning again and once I made the first batch my reserves went out the window I’m now hooked, love love this electric pressure canner. So far I have canned:
18 pints zucchini relish
24 1/2 pints blackberry jelly
8 1/2 pints peach preserves
16 pints bread and butter pickles
8 pints sweet pickles
18 pints lime pickles
12 quarts green beans
12 pints salsa
16 pints whole tomatoes
The garden is still producing tomatoes and cucumbers (I can way more than we need so I can give some away.
Also froze 6 quarts peach pie filling.
Peaches got away from me this year, the trees were loaded and starting to ripen, went to check again 3 days later and a lot were already on the ground and something had taken a bite off from almost all that hit the ground. I did get about a half bushel so I can’t complain, animals need to eat too.
I think I have broken the Carey in pretty good. My garden will be finishing up soon, so next on the list  is to start canning soups and stews. I really like making these for mom, she is on a low salt diet and it’s hard to find canned soups that are low (enough) for her.

Amaretto Apple Butter

I tried something different a couple of weeks ago that I thought was soooo good that I had to try to make it at home. Its one of those flavors that I guess you really like or its soso, Mom and I loved it but from both my sisters I got a thumbs up from one and a thumbs down from the other....Guess you cant please everyone.  :D
Since I have already frozen or canned all my apples I had no choice but to buy a gallon of applesauce (I could only find sweetened), but that's fine I new I would have to add sugar anyway. This recipe makes 6 pints and I think I came pretty close to the pint I purchased at the farmers market.
Ingredients I used
1 Gallon sweetened applesauce
2 cups amaretto
2 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
2 cups sugar (or again to taste)
one box of fruit pectin

I added the above ingredients together
(except the fruit pectin)

                                                  

 I cooked on low to medium heat for a little over an hour (stir often)
 then I added the fruit pectin and cooked about another 15 minutes,
 just until it starts to thicken

I then poured the amaretto apple butter into clean hot pint jars, added the two piece lids and hot water bathed them for 15 minutes.
I am having a slight problem with my blog post for the births in December when I try to load the pictures it gives me "You can upload JPG, GIF, or PNG files" I add my pictures with the browse option I just pull them off the desk top well its not there just the above upload, help anyone please !