Canning Nightmare

[ninnymary]

The process was simple but the logistics were a nightmare! Made many mistakes and dirtied alot of dishes!

Mistake #1 - Didn't plan an entire free day to can. Had only the morning because after that I had to friends to visit in 2 different hospitals which were in the opposite directions to each other. Then had family dinner in S.F.

Mistake #2 - Didn't eat breakfast (which puts me in a bad mood) and did'nt put on my makeup. During my second batch, while I was making the syrup, I left to quickly put on my makeup and forgot about it! Syrup got lumpy but my husband managed to fix it.

Mistake #3 - Got my husband to help and now there are 2 people bickering in the kitchen! Does not make for a happy marriage!

Mistake #4 - Not enough burners on my stove! One had the canner, couldn't use the one behind, another sterilizing the jars, another making syrup. Needed one more to boil water to fill canner.

Mistake #5 - After water bathing for 20 min. Set timer for 10 minutes to cool jars in canner and forgot to turn burner off! Hope my apples don't come out mushy!

Mistake #6 - Tried to use a cup and large spoon to pour syrup. Didn't work too well. Finally poured syrup into tupperware pancake pitcher and this worked. Thus there were alot of dirty dishes to wash.

Mistake #8 Got air out of first 2 jars and then forgot to do the rest! Noticed when I kept floating when we put in canner!

Mistake #7 - Apple peeler left apple slices to thin and had to peel by hand.

Mistake #8 - Tapped a jar as I was putting in canner. Well checked on it a few minutes later, and the jar broke and apples were coming out!

Finally daughter came up (she lives downstairs) and we set up an assembly line. Husband peeled, I cut up and put in jars, and daughter poured syrup, got air out, and sealed.

After this things went much smoother! Made 14 jars of apple pie filling! Hope they come out good after all that work. Some look 3/4 fulled and it looks like I may need to use 2 quarts per pie. OH NO! That's not that many pies! My daughter saw the jars and said it looked like we were in Georgia!! and her finance said he could'nt wait to have apple pie. That warmed my heart. Overall it was very stressful but I would do it again! Still have tons of asian pears. Not what to do with those!

 

[digitS']

Already got the apple pie filling, how about Asian pear/apple pie? And, here is advice on canning Asian pears (click). I don't know if it is good advice just the recommendation to "acidify" makes sense to me but . . . I'm not a canner.

I do make pies - or, DW makes pies - and I help! In fact, it is my mother's apple pie recipe that DW uses. I've been a part of apple pie making using that recipe for decades and decades! In fact, we often make enuf pies, of one sort or another, to freeze some for later use. That's food preservation, too .

Things can always work better with some help. They don't always work better but they can. And, canning can . . . um, well. Lots of large amounts of stuff and moving around heavy and hot stuff - - those are usually my jobs in the kitchen, anyway.

It sounds like you had some real success, Mary. Don't be discouraged - I can't help but think that the experience will be useful in the future!

Steve

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

Yes, sounds frustrating. But you sound like you really tried. We all have those things that go "wrong" and sometimes they are all at once, and other times once in a while.

You sound like me. I have to read and then re-read the directions cus sometimes I just don't have the confidence. And I too, forget some parts of the instructions, mid batch.

We haven't died yet, and I'm still proud of what I accomplished. You should (and are) be proud too~

Way to Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vfem]

I had many canning experiences like that, but you live and learn. Eventually you have it down to a science and you just ROLL on through in no time. Good luck and please don't give up on it. You are doing amazing!

P.s. - I don't think make-up is required for canning?!

 

[bid]

The first time always seems like the hardest. And I agree with vfem, I NEVER wear make-up while canning, but then I never wear any anyway.

Try sterilizing your jars and putting them in a low oven a little ahead of time. You can cut the oven off and it will stay hot and your jars are all ready to go. Dish washer will do the same thing. Short cycle rinse on hot.

The assembly line method is the way to go if that option is available. Many hands make light work! Keep it up Mary. Those pies will taste extra good knowing they came from your canned apples.

 

[thistlebloom]

Well Mary. the good thing is that you did it!
And it will make for one of those funny family stories we like to tell each other, "Remember the time..."
I think that now that you've done it, the hard part is behind you, and the next time will go smoothly.

I'm a brand new canner this year too, pickled some (LOTS actually ) hot peppers for my hubby. He says they're the best, bless his little lyin' heart!` But I'm hooked, and can't wait for the year my tomatoes actually get ripe before winter so I can make tomato sauce.
Let us know how the pears go.

 

[ninnymary]

Vfem and Bid..you guys are too much! I thought wearing make-up would make my canning taste better! lol. Actually, I had to put some on because remember..I was going to visit friends at hospitals and then have a dinner to go to. I wanted to get it out of the way.

Two of my jars haven't sealed yet. How long do they take? I want to redo them tomorrow if they don't seal. Can I store them in the fridge and redo tomorrow?

I thought my kitchen was big with alot of counter space..was I WRONG. I'm glad no one stopped by because it looked like a disaster area!

I plan to do asian pear filling tomorrow during nap time. Not mine silly! the kid's!

My husband said I should have taken a canning class but around here they're $75-100! He also thinks I should just buy pies at the bakery!

Mary

 

[lesa]

You did it!!! Good for you! The first time I made jam, I actually shed a few tears ( and I am not a cry baby!) It really does help to have extra hands in the kitchen, glad your family was there to help. I promise you, those are going to be the best pies you have ever had. FYI, I wouldn't dream of canning without makeup! It would be like canning naked! Cheers to you and your apple pie filling!

 

[ninnymary]

Steve, I had seen that canning recipe for the asian pears but it didn't say how much to use, especially the lemon juice. I was afraid to guess. The recipe I used for the apple pie filling called for 3 tablespoon lemon juice in the syrup. Can I just use that recipe and substitue the asian pears for the apple?

Mary

 

[digitS']

Oh Gosh Mary! I don't know . . .

The canning recipe that I linked to says, "1 T to each pint . . ."

Not a canner .

Steve