Canning

I have so many memories of my mom canning.  Since I was called the "Pickle Pusher," it was my job to scrub all the cucumbers.  I would help my mom remove the skin from peaches, pears, tomatoes, and apples.  Our house would be steamy, hot, and full of preserved quarts of delicious harvest for the coming year. It was a labor of love.

I have loved carrying on this tradition with my own family.  My mom taught me everything I know, and this was the first year that I didn't can with her by my side.  Usually I take a day or two and spend it canning in Syracuse with her, but now that I have two kids in school, it is much more difficult to get away.  I will admit, that I loved steaming up my own house, and having my rooms smell like pickles for a change!

I even got my own little helper this year.  I didn't even have to ask, Will just came into the kitchen and asked how he could help!  He was a champ.  He took care of the blanching and the peeling while I filled the bottles.  We were a dynamic duo!

My bushel of peaches only filled 21 quarts this year (we ate A LOT of peaches in only a couple of days.... probably a little too much), and I got 14 quarts of pickles.  Plenty to keep our shelves stocked for the coming year, and to keep our name of the "Pickle Nicoll's!"