On 6/14/2021 9:51 AM, Sheldon Martin wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Jun 2021 21:37:23 -0400, Michael >
> wrote:
>
>> On 6/13/2021 12:52 AM, GM wrote:
>>> On Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:29:00 PM UTC-5, Michael Trew wrote:
>>>> I'm not sure what recently compelled me to make a double recipe of toll
>>>> house cookies, but it somehow came out to be about 9 dozen cookies. In
>>>> a house without A/C on a near 90 degree day, that wasn't my smartest idea.
>>>>
>>>> I decided to turn off the the pilot lights on my stove to save on heat
>>>> in the kitchen, and supper was just a cold chipped chopped ham and
>>>> provolone sandwich. The humidity has my fridge desperately needing
>>>> defrosted as well. I suppose it's all better than snow, however.
>>>
>>>
>>> Years ago I used to do a lot of home canning. I didn't have A/C, and I'd often choose the hottest days to can. It would be SO hot that it would be a "transcedental" experience - and accompanied by LOTS of ice - cold beer...
>>>
>>> Couldn't do that now, I'd surely croak...
>>
>> I have grandma's old huge enamel pot with the wire rack in the bottom.
>> I might pick up some Ball jars and try my hand at canning this year. I
>> planted a dozen tomato plants, so why not?
>
> Depends what type of tomatoes, not all can well. Salad tomatoes (the
> type most grow) are too watery for canning and sauce. Long simmering
> to reduce water ends up with brown tomato sauce and a burnt flavor.
> I grow a lot of Romas and to preserve I freeze, a lot safer and saves
> storage space. I use cubical plastic containers, stack like bricks.
> A Foley food mill removes skins, cores, and seeds. Prepare sauce with
> minimal cooking and freeze.
> It costs a lot less and is far safer to buy ones tomato products by
> the case in #10 cans.
> A large home vegetable garden is a lot of work and expence, we do it
> for the enjoyment, no monetary savings.
> We grow a lot of different tomatoes, most are eaten as salad tomatoes,
> many are grilled.... at seasons end we fry green tomatoes and pickle
> green tomatoes along with Kirby cukes.
> Factory canned removes excess water with a huge vacuum tower (silo
> sized), same method used for frozen OJ concentrate, and tomato
> paste... minimally heated and water vapor vacuumed off... equipment is
> too costly for home use.


I planted mostly Roma tomatoes. I figured good for sauces and recipes.