Click HERE to check out an article on NPR about how canning is on the rise due to the tough economic times. It's really interesting how many people are now growing their own food, as well as getting back into the kitchen and connecting to their roots.
Although I've never had my own veggie garden, I do gravitate towards local farms (or my brother's backyard in NY because he has a beautiful garden, fruit trees, and berry bushes) to do some fruit pickin' for things like preserves and apple butter that last me all year and make wonderful gifts. Although I missed the strawberries here in Maryland this year, I am waiting for word from a friend in the country outside of Washington D.C. who knows where to find the wild berries. Yes, waiting...impatiently. My jars are all ready to go, in fact!
If you are at all interested, go to the Pick Your Own site and find a farm near you. You can also check out my post from last year on Strawberry Preserves. You may find the information helpful.
My environment is very urban right now; however, I wanted to at least have some fresh herbs and greenery, so here is a photo of what was going on out back on the concrete slab prior to all the rain this week! I got a little basil, cilantro, oregano, and lavender going over to the left.
