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)
I absolutely love to put everything I can into a jar! My newest experiment is herbal jams! They are fabulous, savory goodness!
Strawberry Rhubarb Amaretto Syrup. Such a great treat on ice cream in the winter!
My absolute favorite is my personal twist on my grandmother's tart plum jam - I add rhubarb and a touch of rose water for a combination I have dreams about!!
I would have to say my favorite thing to can would have to be my pickled cauliflower and baby corn. Everybody who tries it loves it!
This drawing ends on my birthday so this would be a Fantastic Birthday present lol
Homemade marinara sauce. Yum!
Everything tomato!
There are lots of delicious things to be put in jars, but I like to put a few fingers of wine in one while I'm working on the project at hand!
I know this is old-fashioned, but I can't get enough strawberry preserves!
I'm very new to the canning world. In fact when I moved here to Austin Texas in November 2011, I did not even own a canning jar.
But i find the locals really know how to live here. Farmers markets are very important also being self-sufficient by growing your own veggies.
I find that to be such a grand idea! That has inspired me to try to re-invent myself into someone who can live off the land, Not living off the big box grocery market.
So long story short I have found that one of the very first things i learned how to make...and love is Apple-pear butter.
It is so good I always make extra when i make it, so i can give to friends and neighbors.
My fav. to put in jars is strawberries but salsa and pickles are right up there. And apples too! TY for the awesome giveaway!!!
I love making salsa and trying new combinations of salsas. AND the peach preserves we made last year are still incredible. I have been keeping my Father -in-law supplied with preserves and salsa all year. (makes for good in-law relations)
I really like to make cucumber pickles and applesauce.
I love to can tomato basil sauce!
Strawberry jam and/or homemade ketchup
I'm new to canning, although I've enjoyed working with a friend to preserve some of her garden's bounty this past year! That said, I love putting dressings in small mason jars. Just shake it up, and homemade salad goodness is at your fingertips :)
I LOVE canning apple butter, green beans and beets. If I could just figure out my mom's kiwi jam recipe I would be greatful!
When I was growing up, my grandmother canned jelly from the fruit she grew. We had strawberry, blueberry, apple butter, blackberry, etc. I would have to say my favorite thing to put in a jar would be jelly of all sorts. :)
I think it is hard to choose between Apple Butter/Apple Sauce and Peaches - I love opening peaches in the middle of winter!
I use canning jars for so many things! I love making my own spice mixes (taco seasoning etc.) and storing them in jars.
Favorite thing is salsa, and jam, and peaches, and apple sauce, and apple pie filling!! Sorry one was too hard :)
Pickles!
I guess my two favorite things are cranberry-cider jelly and dill pickles. I love to can and I see why ladies would have their neighbors come cover to help...whew it can be a lot of work for one person. But so rewarding! I started canning about 10 years ago when I was 23 years old. I would love a new canning pot as mine sprung a pin hole last year and water was everywhere! Just haven't had the extra cash this year to buy a new one. and want to do some new jam/jelly recipes this year and was going to try bread and butter pickles.
I love to can with my mother concord grape jelly and home grown pears from her and my fathers trees.
My newest favorite is Cherry jelly , and from last year corn relish
Pickles! Especially garlic dill pickles.