Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Storing Provisions in Summer

This summer I am working on "storing provisions in Summer". This Bible verse keeps running through my head as I work on canning and freezing:

Look to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8.

This verse teaches us that we should be wise and plan for the future. Not everyone has access to a garden or have produce given to them. But everyone can make the best of their own situation to provide food for themselves and their family. It doesn't mean that you have to have a pantry full of home canned goods.There are many ways to be wise with planning our food for the future.

There is also the Bible verse: She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14. In our day, "afar" could be the Kroger or Food Lion across town.

"Summer" could be anytime that there is a good sale or its the time of year for a certain food to be plentiful. It could be a farmer's market or the local produce stand.

Even the person who lives near a store and purchases food daily or weekly as needed can plan menus and shop wisely.

I have been learning about canning this summer and so far have canned 20 quarts of sweet pickles. I have plans for canning more items such as jelly and tomatoes.

Saturday I tried my hand at pickled squash. I will only put up a few jars of these as a trial to see if they are something we would really make use of. So far, hubby loves them! If our squash supply holds up I will try to put up 8 more pints.

They are pretty to look at!



Pickled squash are easy to make. You layer squash and onions with pickling salt and ice for 3 hours.



The liquid is made up of vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, mustard seeds and tumeric. Add the rinsed squash and veggies to the liquid and bring to a boil. Add them to the jars and process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.



My new favoritte sound? The sound of a canning lid going "PING"!

8 comments:

Granny said...

The pickled squash looks great. My mom used to pickle both squash and zucchini. My garden didn't do well at all so I've been stocking up on canned gooods when they're on sale. I've also been stocking up on paper products and first aid items. I don't think we can every be too prepared.

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie,
I too have been working on planning wisely. I love these verses.
Have a wonderful week.
Mrs. E

Impera Magna said...

The *ping* of jars sealing is truly music to the ears!

Rhonda said...

Looks good! Someday I hope to get up the nerve to try canning. At this point, I'm going to try to make freezer jam. :)

Little Penpen said...

Love this post! You used some of my favorite verses from the Bible. I don't think I've ever had pickled squash, but they do look so pretty. And I remember the "ping" sound from my childhood, as Ancient One used to do a lot of canning. Thanks for the sweet memory this morning!

Auntie M said...

You are truly making progress!! I also love those bible verses. We
will freeze corn tomorrow.

Our 'joint' sister-in-law has been with us for five days now, and we have been up at the cabin, enjoying the cool breezes, Now, it is back to the real world.

Happy canning!!

Alexandra said...

That squash sounds delicious!

Deanna said...

That little sound is indeed a happy sound. The whole family remarks everytime they hear it, "Another one sealed."

Glimpses of Home - first quarter of 2021

I made a list of my 2021 goals that I wrote down in the back of my planner.  Its time to review that to see how I am doing! But, here are a ...