#winter stores

[tinyshe]

from the dehydrator to the pantry: fruits, vegetables, and herbs [personal photos]

[tinyshe]

with so many people starting gardens for the first time but being isolated, make sure you reach out to local agencies, garden clubs or by online (there are gardeners here on tumblr too :)  ). there are many people and willing to offer advise / help. remember, the only stupid question is the one not asked.

with all the produce and possibly more than you can eat, please consider donating to the local food bank or put up for winter (canning/ drying). again, seek out people that have done this, research and ask questions. if you are canning, please be safe and follow directions exactly. dehydrating in a fun option. in either case, buy quality equipment that will last you more than a season, its an investment in your health and well being (not to mention the food) to have good equipment to support you through this.

[xmasitw]

Platronic

Winter Stores

[the-final-sentence]

And when Youth’s summer day is vanished, And Age brings Winter’s stress, Her stores, with hoarded sweets replenished, Life’s evening hours will bless.

Charlotte Brontë, from “Winter Stores”

[matovilkaeats]

Elderberry syrup

Ingredients:

45 elderberry flowers 

3 kg sugar 

3 l water (can use 5 l) 

3 larger lemons

citric acid - to taste 

Directions:

Separate flowers from the stems and soak in 3 liters of water over night.

Strain the liquid next day.

Put sliced ​​lemons and sugar into obtained liquid. Leave overnight, stirring occasionally.

Strain, add citric acid, boil for 2-3 minutes.

Fill previously sterilized hot bottles.

Yields 6 liters of syrup.

[matovilkaeats]

Mint syrup

Ingredients:

0.50 kg stalks of mint in bloom

3 kg sugar

4 l water

3 lemons, squeezed (add 1 lemon for each additional liter)

citric acid - to taste

Directions:

Chop stems and soak in 4 liters of water, let steep overnight. 

Next day strain the liquid.

Put the lemon juice and sugar into the obtained liquid.

Add citric acid to taste, boil for 2-3 minutes

Fill previously sterilized hot bottles.

Yields 5.5 liters of syrup.

[matovilkaeats]

Green tomatoes with horseradish

Ingredients:

1.5 kg green tomatoes 

0.25 kg horseradish 

0.25 kg mustard 

0.25 l oil 

salt

Directions:

Wash, drain, and grate green tomatoes.

Wrap them in gauze (cheesecloth) over night to drain.

In the morning drain them again, and mix with grated horseradish, mustard, oil, and salt.

Put in jars, and stick it in heated oven at 90 C for 20 minutes.

Put a little oil on top before closing the jars.

[the-daily-poet]

Winter Stores

We take from life one little share, And say that this shall be A space, redeemed from toil and care, From tears and sadness free. And, haply, Death unstrings his bow, And Sorrow stands apart, And, for a little while, we know The sunshine of the heart. Existence seems a summer eve, Warm, soft, and full of peace, Our free, unfettered feelings give The soul its full release. A moment, then, it takes the power To call up thoughts that throw Around that charmed and hallowed hour, This life’s divinest glow. But Time, though viewlessly it flies, And slowly, will not stay; Alike, through clear and clouded skies, It cleaves its silent way. Alike the bitter cup of grief, Alike the draught of bliss, Its progress leaves but moment brief For baffled lips to kiss The sparkling draught is dried away, The hour of rest is gone, And urgent voices, round us, say, “'Ho, lingerer, hasten on!” And has the soul, then, only gained, From this brief time of ease, A moment’s rest, when overstrained, One hurried glimpse of peace? No; while the sun shone kindly o’er us, And flowers bloomed round our feet,— While many a bud of joy before us Unclosed its petals sweet,— An unseen work within was plying; Like honey-seeking bee, From flower to flower, unwearied, flying, Laboured one faculty,— Thoughtful for Winter’s future sorrow, Its gloom and scarcity; Prescient to-day, of want to-morrow, Toiled quiet Memory. ’Tis she that from each transient pleasure Extracts a lasting good; ’Tis she that finds, in summer, treasure To serve for winter’s food. And when Youth’s summer day is vanished, And Age brings Winter’s stress, Her stores, with hoarded sweets replenished, Life’s evening hours will bless.

- Charlotte Brontë (published under her nom de plume, Currer Bell)