So I decided to try another experiment. I am canning grapes.
Now, why on earth would anybody want to can grapes, you might ask. First, I love grapes. Nearly every grocery order includes grapes.
Second, lets pretend that the reason we prepare has happened and the only food we have to eat is the food we have stored. If I had canned no other meat than chicken, or if I only had canned peaches for fruit, it wouldn't take very long before I could not stand the sight of chicken or peaches. That's why I can a variety of meats and fruits. And grapes are just another variety to add to my shelves.
I have not canned grapes before, but according to those who have, they can up well. If you only like fresh grapes, this method is probably not for you. But if you like the grapes that come in a can of fruit cocktail, you might like these.
Canning grapes is easy, peasy. Remove the grapes from their stems and wash them well. Fill jars with grapes (I used pints) to within 1 inch from the top of the jar. Make a simple syrup of sugar and water. As grapes are naturally sweet, I used a very light syrup of 6 1/2 cups of water and 3/4 cup sugar, brought to a boil to dissolve the sugar. This is enough for 8 - 9 pints. Pour the syrup over the grapes and water bath can them for 15 minutes.
I had ordered 2 lbs. of green grapes and 2 lbs. of red. That gave me 6 pints of grapes, total (minus a handful or two or three that I ate). When the jars had cooled, I opened one to see how I would like them, and I did. I would think you could use them like fruit cocktail, just for snacking or maybe as a dessert. I will probably can more of these.
You gotta try new things. :)
Opus 2024-397: Absolutes
5 hours ago
I keep a lot of canned fruit in our supplies. I like it, especially mandarin oranges. It's pretty cheap, good for you, and tastes good. There are grapes in canned fruit salad, but I've never seen a can of just grapes. If there were some I'd buy it. Fruit, both dried and canned, is an important part of our long term food storage.
ReplyDeleteHarry...I can't recall seeing cans of grapes on a store shelf, either. I ran across a video on home canning grapes and decided to try it. I am really pleased with the results and will can more when grapes are on sale.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit to buying canned fruit lately - peaches, pears, apricots, etc., rather than canning it myself. The mandarin oranges are fairly inexpensive here so I have lots of those. Thing is, I have pretty much reached the limit for storing food in jars and need to use the rest of my empty jars for meats and vegetables. It has been my experience that commercially canned fruit keeps better for a longer time than home canned. I guess what is important to me is to have a variety and lots of it. And in an emergency situation where all you have to eat is from your food storage, I doubt anyone will turn down food if it comes in a can from the store. :)
That's funny, that's almost my recipe for canning grape juice concentrate.... except after filling the jars to the fill line with grapes, I fill them again with my sweetener mix (ratio 1/4 cup sugar : 1 tsp xylitol : 1/4 tsp stevia), and finally again with boiling water. After canning, when I am ready to use it, I strain out the grapes and add an equal amount of water, running it through the grapes in the strainer.
ReplyDeleteJohn...Thank you for posting your method of canning grape juice. I had read about this but have not known anyone who actually did it. I like the fact that your recipe uses a small amount of sugar. What variety of grapes do you use? I have access only to the usual grocery store varieties, but could possibly find others at the Farmer's Market in season. I already can apple and cranberry juices. Grape juice would be a nice addition.
DeleteI remember my grandmother canning huge amounts of grapes.
ReplyDeleteGorges...I had no idea anyone canned grapes until I ran across a video showing how it was done. Wild grapes were scarce in my corner of the world and were used only for making jelly. I'm hoping to lay my hands on some when they go on sale. They are really good canned.
DeleteAnother fun post to read. I do home can fruit each season. I also buy store bought cans when they are a loss leader. I've even bought the individual sized cans that most people would put in a lunch box. I especially like the single serve pineapple. I use it when I make a stir fry. It's one of my adaptations to cooking for one.
ReplyDeleteCheers, SJ
SJ...This year I may skip canning peaches and pears. It is becoming more and more difficult to stay on my feet to do the work required. I have started, like you do, to buy those items when they go on sale. I do want to can some strawberries, apple slices and applesauce, though. I often can all sorts of fruit and vegetables in half pint jars - just right for one. I hadn't thought about those little individual cans of fruit. What a good idea for those of us living alone. I'll bet I can find a variety of them at Sam's Club.
DeleteTaking a break, waiting for a big pot of corn relish to heat up. That's for the next post. :)
I would never have thought of canning grapes. I love the white/green grapes, and I love them in fruit cocktail. I just hate the cherries in fruit cocktail even though I love fresh cherries.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I wish even more that my scuppernong vine were up. The whole arbor was knocked to the ground by a tree.
White grapes were $0.89/lb last month. That is a good price for canning. Mine would be in half pints, too, since there is just me. Besides, if a person were putting it in a fruit salad even for a family, a half pint would be sufficient, well if the family was small and other fruit used in sufficient quantity.
I would love to see photos with all your canning experiences. I plan on buying a pressure canner soon.
ReplyDelete