Frugal Solutions

Canning Tips

  • Sourdough Apple Butter

    Sourdough Apple Butter

    In many Amish communities, apple butter day is one of the most anticipated events of the year — families gathering…

  • Old-Fashioned Refrigerator Pickles

    Old-Fashioned Refrigerator Pickles

    No canning required, no special skills, and ready in 24 hours. This base brine works with cucumbers from the garden…

  • Pressure Canned Chicken Broth

    Pressure Canned Chicken Broth

    Amish women often call this liquid gold — the foundation for soups, stews, gravies, and rice, made from every bone…

  • Canned Apple Butter — The All-Day Simmer

    Canned Apple Butter — The All-Day Simmer

    One of the most iconic Amish foods — traditionally made communally in copper kettles over outdoor fires, now easy in…

  • Canned Bone Broth Soup Base

    Canned Bone Broth Soup Base

    The final piece of the puzzle — pressure canning a complete soup base means opening a jar on a busy…

  • Water Bath Canned Tomatoes

    Water Bath Canned Tomatoes

    Ask any Amish homesteader what they can the most of, and the answer is almost always tomatoes — naturally acidic…

Gallery

Snapshots from my Amish-inspired kitchen and garden adventures.

A close-up of a jar filled with a variety of pickled vegetables immersed in liquid. Visible vegetables include a slice of carrot, a piece of cauliflower, and segments of bell pepper. The colors are vibrant and the jar is glass, showcasing the contents clearly.
A lush garden scene with green and ripening tomatoes hanging from thick vines. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting a warm glow and creating a vibrant atmosphere. The tomatoes are supported by wooden stakes, and the surrounding foliage is dense and healthy.
A rustic jar filled with a colorful mix of ingredients sits atop a wooden surface. The jar is sealed with a fabric cover tied with twine. In the foreground, there's a blurred hint of foliage with red and green colors. The background is a deep blue, adding contrast to the vibrant contents of the jar.
A vintage kitchen stove is adorned with pots and jars. There are three ceramic jars and a smaller glass jar placed on a narrow shelf above the stove. A brass pot with a leafy green plant sits on top of the stove, alongside a black kettle. A bundle of garlic hangs from the side, adding a rustic touch.
A wooden shelf filled with various jars, bottles, and cans of food items. The top shelf contains large jars with ingredients like nuts and grains. The second shelf features bottles of olive oil and red vinegar. Below, jars of pickles and larger cans of preserved goods are displayed.
A rustic wooden table hosts a small spread featuring a clay bowl filled with vibrant pickled vegetables, including green peppers, red shredded cabbage, and a whole tomato. Next to the bowl is a spoon and a sprig of fresh parsley. A small glass with clear liquid, likely water or vodka, is situated beside a stack of slices of thin, round flatbread, accompanied by triangular pieces of another type of flatbread.
A rustic wooden barn stands in a grassy field surrounded by a well-maintained garden with plants and a few visible fruits. Tall evergreen trees border the setting, and a clear blue sky provides a serene backdrop. A vintage metal lamp post extends above the barn roof, adding to the rural charm.
A smartphone screen displaying a webpage with large text about outlining a blog post for summer mocktail recipes. In the background, there is a pattern of horizontal green lines creating a vibrant backdrop.