Pat:

There's been some discussion of canning and a little about dehydrating, but how much of an effort do you go to, to put things up for the winter? 

I feel a strong need to set store by, as well.  If it comes into my hands, I try to make sure it doesn't go to waste.  I bottled enough of the summer squash blend last year that I am not putting up any more of that this year; we have more than enough. I share the fresh with those around me to keep it from going to waste.

I still have quite a bit of bottled fruit from last year, which is good, because my little trees are barely bearing. If I happen on some free fruit, I will move what is in the bottles to the dehydrator to make room in the jars for the free fruit to be canned.  Previously bottle fruit dehdrated beautifully.  

I have a good bumper crop of onions, & I will dehydrate those not used by first frost. I did that last year & we used almost all of them.  I haven't had to buy onions at all since I dehydrated last year. I also have a bumper crop of peppers & pimentos coming; those will also be dehydrated.

Hopefully the tomatoes come on strong, because that is something I need to restock.

Pat:

this year I feel more of an urge to sock things away for "hard times."

Pat:

I wonder how many of you feel that way and if anyone has felt the urge to put up more than usual this year

I think most of us who have been through financial difficulties before can see the value of having a completely stocked pantry.  If I end up with more than I can use, there is always someone else nearby that can take some of it off my hands for me. 

suzin:

when you use your dried veges...like carrots...do you let them soak in water before putting them in to cook?

It depends on what I'm using them for. If I'm making stew or soup, I just dump them in the broth and let them cook. If I'm going to use them for a side dish, I put boiling water over them, let them cool, then put them in the refrigerator several hours or overnight. 

chocolatechic:

Those that dehydrate fruit and put them in jars...do they mold?

They don't if they're completely dehydrated and kept closed securely. If you find they're absorbing moisture, you can dehydrate them again any time. Too much moisture left in the food will cause it to mold. 

donna england:

Are those food dehydraters expensive? They sure sound like they would be nice to have. I may have to put that on my wish list.

Walmart has a small Nesco 7 tray dehydrator for around $40 right now. The really good ones can be a hundred dollars or more, but you won't need one of those unless you really get into it. 

 Donna, I would ask on Freecycle. A lot of people buy them but dont use them. It was a big thing in the 70's so there may be one just waiting for you for free. Babs

     I may feel a bit more focused in a few weeks when the garden starts producing tomatoes and peppers ....   though I'm not sure it's going to be a good garden year .. except for green beans!  

      I've felt more urgency in stocking the pantry with "bought" foods ....

Even if your job is not in jeapordy or your not in debt up to your ears there is something satisfying to "putting up" enough food to cover your basic needs.

There are only two of us in this house now but there was a time canning and freezing was the only way we didn't go hungry, now it is just because I can.

Pardon the pun. LOL

 I read something on another site last evening. It said, " I get all I can and I can all I get,:

Babs 

Pat:

 

I wonder how many of you feel that way and if anyone has felt the urge to put up more than usual this year.

My husband has always suggested I am part squirrel hoarding my food for the winter or summer or spring..

I like to have months worth of goods on hand. I can't put as much in the freezer as I used to because as the children are no longer very small, we consume more so an amount of food does not stretch as far as it used to.

I solved my food storage issues by stacking my produce boxes from Angel Food against the back wall of our dining area. Each is full of staples or dry goods or waiting to be filled with more of these on sale. It doesn't look so pretty now that I have many piled up but I think having food is worth more than having a magazine perfect kitchen.

 Brandy, I have done that sort of thing and I would put a pretty tablecloth or throw over it . Babs