Note to self.......

      This is just a note to myself for next year. I know my memory, and sometimes its not the best.  When canning season comes around next year, and I get the bright idea to try and put corn up again, someone PLEASE lock me in my room. I am serious. The canning bug has gotten to me this yr, and I am trying to preserve a lot of different things. I have never done corn before. I have done green beans, jams,deer, and even raw pack chicken. But NEVER again to corn. I had a mess everywhere . The silk wasnt too bad. Got it cleaned up with  a few quick swipes of the broom. Then it came time to cut it off the cob. it was on my face, in my hair, on my shirt, up my arms, all over the counter top, and a mess in the floor at my feet. Oh i forgot to mention my feet. Not to mention stepping on it as I stood at the counter,lol. Even my usual clean-up crew, the two maltese on my side-bar, ran for cover.        

           "But you love corn" I tried to remind them. 

Calling for them several times while I stood on that sticky mess. They would come and sniff, and quickly leave. not a bite taken.

 "Remember when I held a partial buttered ear for you while you quickly nibbled the moist buttery goodness."

 "You loved it then", I pleaded.

 They are usually so good about cleaning up messes. Waiting at my feet for me to drop something accidently, or on purpose. It was no use. I had to pull up my big girl britches and work my way thru the mess. it was only 24 ears, but it sure seemed like a 100. I was going to can it in pints, but I just wanted to get it over with, so just bagged it up in a zip lock baggy for freezing.

These measly 8 bags better taste like CHOCOLATE after all this.

Preserving Cucumbers in the Freezer

I absolutely love cucumbers. Especially this year. i have been craving them all summer. Eating them dipped in ranch dressing, or dipped in italian dressing. eating them for late breakfast, lunch, or evening snack. Whenever the mood hits for something cool, crunchy and refreshing.  no, i am NOT pregnant. Definitely NOT! 

Several times this summer my local grocery store has been ut of them. sometimes for two weeks. Must be a lot of other cucumber lovers out there too. I have a bunch planted in the garden, but I am just now starting to get some to eat. I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out if there was anyway I could preserve them for fresh eating this winter without  having to buy them. I like pickles and sometimes eat them for snacks, but thats not what I have been craving. Then one day i happened onto a recipe for freezing these guys in a solution of vinegar, water, sugar and salt. Supposedly they still come out of the freezer crunchy. I had my doubt however. So I asked my daughter-in-laws mother, who is an excellent cook, if she had ever heard of doing them this way. She said she had and that they were indeed still crunchy when defrosted. 

A few days ago, I had a couple ready to eat from the garden, plus supplemented with a store bought. I needed to fill a 16 z plastic container. Everything went together very quickly. I put them straight in the freezer. Then 24 hrs later, I decided to pull them out and give them a try. Once defrosted, they were absolutely delightful. Slightly sweet, crunchy, cool and refreshing. I didnt stop till I had them half gone. Anyway,  When hubby cam home I had him  try them. I knew it would take a little coaxing. he is like a child sometimes when it comes to trying new things. but we wont discuss that any further.

I remembered his mother used to make them fresh and serve them in mix of 50/50 vinegar and water. he loved them that way. so i figured that was close enough to mom's.

Low and behold....he liked them. He really liked them 

I dont know where I got the recipe from online, so I am sorry for not being able t give credit. But here it is:

                                                    FROZEN CUCUMBER PICKLES   

1 lb. Kirby or pickling cucumbers, sliced (4 c.)

2 c. thinly sliced onions

1 tsp. salt

1/2 c. cider vinegar

3 tsp. water

1 c. sugar

Combine cucumbers, onions, salt and water in glass bowl. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours. Add sugar and vinegar, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pack mixture lightly into 2 - 1pint freezer containers or jars, leaving 1 inch space at top. Cover tightly and freeze overnight or up to 6 weeks. Thaw at room temperature 4 hours. Refrigerate any leftovers up to 1 week. Makes 4 cups.

NOTE: Very good!!! The pickles stay crisp after thawing, even left over in the refrigerator.