Canning-tacular giveaway: Food in Jars book & Ball Canner Kit
Summer just snuck up on me, and I feel sort of unprepared. Spring lingered longer, rains fell. Blueberries came and went (already).
I live in Texas and it’s summer for about 9 months of the year, so summer isn’t usually a surprise, but that’s enough about my confounding climate zone. It’s nearly officially summer, which means the possibility of preserving wherever you are.
First off, I’d like to start this giveaway out with a small quiz:
This year’s July 14 is a special date because:
A. it’s Bastille day, vive le France!
B. it’s the 100-year anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth, vive le revolucion!
C. it’s National Can-It-Forward day, where canners across the country will seal some jars in solidarity, vive le Canvolution!
D. it’s my birthday, vive le cake!
E. all of the above
You got it right. The answer is E.
I’m so jazzed for this giveaway, a can-tastic (yes, I just went there) prize pack from Ball Canning paired with my good friend Marisa’s first (and very fine) book, Food in Jars: Preserving in small batches year-round. This is the perfect prize for newbies and old hats alike. And if you already have a canning set-up in place, then wouldn’t the Ball kit be a nice prize for an aspiring canner in your life?
You’ll get this 21-quart canner pot that includes the rack:
;)
And this utensil kit (half-filled jar of jam not included):;)
Aaaaand a copy of this great book:
The Food in Jars book is every bit as delicious as the blog by the same name, but tactile, with a sturdy hard cover and beautifully printed pages to turn. I had the pleasure of seeing the galleys for this book when Marisa visited in November of last year, and I must say, Running Press did a lovely job putting this book together. Moreover, Marisa’s recipes are simple and straightforward yet incredibly inventive with flavors. This book reads like afternoon tea with Marisa, like you’re sitting at her kitchen table and she’s pulling out jar after jar and telling you about each of them.
I’m especially excited to make her cranberry ketchup (must use last year’s fruit in the chest freezer!) and intrigued by the cantaloupe jam (hello exotic Creamsicle). I like the inclusion of other recipes, the non-canned goods and gifts you can put in jars, too. There’s a cinnamon vanilla sunflower butter that sounds delightful!
I just love how Marisa reminds us that canning is totally on our terms, that you don’t need tons of produce (and a car to drive it all home), a fancy kitchen or much equipment to make things you and your family like to eat. I hope with this giveaway you’ll find a way to make preserving your own, to wrap it into your life, whether it’s a small batch of dilly beans or a few jars of fig jam, or an entire closet tiled in the bounty of the seasons.
In order to get you your Canning-tacular prize pack in time for July 14, we’re running this giveaway through midnight CST, July 5, 2012. Enter by leaving a comment on this post, telling me What’s your favorite thing to put in a mason jar? Don’t forget to add your email address to the box on the comment form where I ask for it. No email address, no winner (because I can’t reach you).
Hey, while you’re at it, pop on over to Local Kitchen (through June 22) AND Punk Domestics (through June 20) for another couple chances to win Marisa’s book!
Canning, Cookbooks, Giveaways, Small-Batch Canning
Reader Comments (328)
Definitely apple butter. YUM.
I love making freezer jam and putting that in jars. For somebody who doesn't can, I have a zillion canning jars and use them for everything! I want to start canning this summer when tomatoes are available.
Right now I have mostly dry goods in my mason jars, so my favorite thing is homemade granola. But, that's because I don't know how to can or have any canning supplies. This giveaway would solve both problems!
The best thing to put in a mason jar is jam, or maybe tomatoes. We made a tomato chutney last year, with onions, curry, raisins, etc. It was delicious and a nice twist on regular old canned tomatoes. It was best with fresh made ricotta spread on brioche. I highly recommend it!
This is tough! So many tasty options, but my favorite from last year was a batch of tomatillo salsa :)
I put everything in Mason jars: canned food, dry food, hair ties, soap...
I thought I had to narrow it down to one item. If that is the case, I think I will go with the raspberry fresh fig jam with maraschino liqueur and lavender--fresh figs and raspberries, both delicious and versatile canning ingredients. But then there are plums, elderberry flowers and berries, sour cherries, Seville oranges, kumquats...
A margarita. Oops! Jams- any and all kinds. ;)
um, how does one narrow down ones FAVORITE thing to put in a mason jar when you have a mad obsession with them? Jam, pickles, pie filling, meat, tomatoes, pasta, iced tea, cocktails, wine, soup, salad, leftovers, flowers.....everything!
My favorite thing to put in a mason jar? Well, I'm a newbie canner but I just made a batch of Strawberry Basil Jam that was pretty rad. In all honesty, though, my favorite thing to put in a mason jar is a cocktail. Specifically, a Hendrick's and tonic with a slice of farm-fresh cucumber in it :)
It's been years since I have canned anything with my grandmother but I'm hoping to have some success with it this summer. My favorite things to can are peaches and blackberry jam. I use also use canning jars to store spices, dried goods and for flower vases.
I love canning with my friends or by myself. A day well spent! I just made cherry blueberry jam and am working on a great pickled pepper recipe I saw. Am trying to turn my daughter on to canning! <3
premade breakfasts! Muesli, oatmeal, etc. with berries, honey, yogurt, chia seeds, ANYTHING really! Just pre-make sunday night, and all week just grab from the fridge and go! No excuses for not starting your day off right! :)
My dad's Manhatten Clam Chowder. It's a family recipe that goes back to the 1930s. I've made it with him for the past few years and it allows me to spend quality time with him.
My favorite thing to can is Strawberry Jam, I love it - and all of my family and friends love it as gifts :) :)
bizzandbooboo at gmail dot com
OH wow, just one? Stewed tomatoes..
Now that it's summer, my favorite thing to put in mason jars are sand & seashells. I know its not edible, but its fun. I get vintage Ball jars, fill them halfway with sand and then add shells on top. Sometimes I fill them with sea glass too. They're great outdoor decorations too. I add tea lights for nighttime, and they look so pretty.
Although I do love making pickles too!
lately my husband and i have been pickle-ing in mason jars. mostly jalepenos and garlic. but we have no canning skills which is why I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS. thanks for the chance and happy birthday!
I'm making strawberry jam tonight!
cubitsorganics @ gmail (dot) com
I have all sorts of favorites. I love to make any kind of jam! I love canning tomatoes, salsa & tomato sauce. I also use my jars for homemade taco seasoning & storing dry goods.
but there are so many amazing uses for jars, how can i choose a favorite? :) okay, okay. in february i made meyer lemon curd and it sortof blew my mind. filled up three beautiful jars that just looked like sunshine and preserved the curd well.
hubby and i also pickled some radishes, using David Lebovitz's recipe (http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/04/pickled-radishes-recipe/) that were super delicious (even if i was a little paranoid later about the pour-over method instead of boiling the whole jar--but i'm also concerned about BPA in some jar lids--would love to see your comments on this!)
While I love canning, my FAVORITE thing to put in a mason jar is a fun cocktail or a wine spritzer. Just makes it more fun to drink it!
Tomatoes,sauce and whole. Freezer jam too.
I am in love with rhubarb in jars, followed closely by apricots and peaches. Last week I had the sweet experience of exchanging jars of rhubarby love with the woman who first taught me how to make jam, my German host mother.
These days I'll put just about anything in a jar, but I have a real soft spot for dill pickles and TX peaches (but not together).