This Week's Canning Project

I finished up a batch of about 16 cups of grapefruit marmalade this weekend.

My mom's grapefruit tree has been excessively prolific this year so marmalade seemed a great way to use some of them.  Actually, this was more of a recanning process as I had made and canned it about a month ago but it didn't set up.  So, I opened up all the jars and added some pectin.  Success!  Perfectly set and delicious.

Mom gave me another couple of bags of fruit on Friday so today I'm making a batch of grapefruit-ginger granita.

What's your favorite grapefruit recipe?

Canning Day

Sterilized jars ready to be filled with Grandpa's barbecue sauce

When I was little there were only two occasions where I recall my paternal grandfather would spend any time in the kitchen (other than to get a can of Hamm's out of the fridge when my grandmother wasn't around to get it for him).  One was when he would make a pot of chili beans and the other was when he made barbecue sauce.  He wouldn't let anyone else in the kitchen when he was cooking up a batch of sauce and he wouldn't share his "recipe" with anyone.  Except his daughter-in-law - my mom.

My mom and I recently started making grandpa's sauce again.  Every few months we whip up a batch or two, can it, and share it with family.  I love spending time in the kitchen with my mom.  She's always been a great cook and, thanks to her, my brothers and I have always enjoyed cooking.

Mmmm...saucy

I enjoy the process of canning.  There's something so satisfying about hearing the "pop!" as the jars cool and the vacuum seal forms, and I love seeing the filled jars on the shelf ready for whenever I need them.  Most of all, I love that my grandfather's tradition lives on.

Gadgets

I'm not usually a fan of kitchen gadgets that are only designed for one purpose or gimmicky items that purport to make a job easier.  Really, Slap Chop?  I can wash my chef's knife in far less time than it must take to clean you with all your fiddly bits.

One exception, though is my metal lime juicer.  It gets the job done, keeps the pips out and is easy to wash up.  Occasionally my local produce market has them in stock for far less than they run in the chain retail stores.  I think I paid about $3.99 for mine.  The only problem is that my lime juicer is good for just that - limes.  So I was thrilled when my mom presented me with two more juicers in larger sizes (she shops at the same market).

I love that they're color coded for limes, lemons and oranges.  Now these are some single use tools I can appreciate!