For a single mom managing a household on a tight budget, canning and preserving food is not just an old-fashioned skill but a financially savvy strategy. This method allows for buying in bulk and seasonal produce at lower prices to be preserved and enjoyed throughout the year. It means fewer trips to the grocery store, savings on out-of-season produce, and a reduction in food waste, as even surplus garden produce can be canned for future use. This practice not only stretches grocery dollars but also helps improve our family’s access to healthy foods.
Canning and preserving food has been around for centuries as a way to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. However, in recent years, it has become more popular among budget-conscious households due to its cost-effective benefits.
One major advantage of canning and preserving is the ability to buy in bulk. This means purchasing a larger quantity of produce at a lower cost per unit, which can result in significant savings over time.
How to Make Dill Pickles That Stay Crunchy Every Time
There’s nothing quite like the satisfying snap of perfectly crisp dill pickles. Whether you’re layering them onto sandwiches, serving them on the side, or sneaking them straight from the jar, crunchy pickles are a snack-time favorite that hits the spot. But if your homemade pickles have ever turned out soggy or soft, you’re not alone—and…
Grandma’s Bread and Butter Pickles
When it comes to growing cucumbers, my mom and I have a pretty clear plan in mind: the vast majority are destined to become our favorite dill pickles. There’s just something about that tangy, garlicky crunch that we can’t get enough of, especially when they’re fresh out of the jar. But, as every gardener knows,…
Homestead Sweet Pickled Beets: Easy and Delicious!
As summer winds down and the first hints of frost start to whisper through the garden, there’s a special tradition in our family that marks the changing seasons: making sweet pickled beets. While my kids rave about their beloved dill pickles, for me, there’s no contest—sweet pickled beets are the true star of the show….
The Perfect Crunchy Dill Pickles Recipe
When I first decided to embark on the journey of making my own dill pickles, I had no idea how many recipes were out there. From family hand-me-downs to modern twists on old classics, the sheer volume of options was overwhelming. But I was determined to find—or create—a dill pickle recipe that suited my tastes…
Decadent Delight: Chocolate Raspberry Jam
Have you ever wondered what happens when you mix the tart sweetness of raspberries with the rich depth of dark chocolate? Let me introduce you to my latest kitchen triumph: Chocolate Raspberry Jam! This divine creation takes my classic raspberry jam recipe to an entirely new level, infusing it with luxurious dark unsweetened chocolate. The…
Simple Spiced Peach Butter Recipe (or No Spice – You Choose!)
Welcome, frugal food lovers! Today, we’re making a delightful homemade preserve that will quickly become a kitchen favorite: Spiced Peach Butter. If you loved my easy homemade peach jam, you’re going to adore this recipe. It’s packed with the rich, concentrated flavor of ripe peaches, enhanced with a touch of warming spices. Plus, it has…
Homemade Pear Jam: A Taste of Summer in a Jar
Summer brings with it a variety of delicious fruits, each offering a unique taste of the season’s warmth and bounty. Among these treasures are pears, often overshadowed by their more common counterparts but no less deserving of a place in our kitchens. Like peaches, pears are a seasonal gem not readily available locally in the…
Why Carrot Cake Jam Should Be Your Next Kitchen Adventure
I couldn’t believe it the first time I tried carrot cake jam. Yes, you read that right—carrot cake jam! The concept sounded almost too good to be true, but let me assure you, this delightful spread tastes just like a slice of carrot cake. The spices, the carrots, the sweetness—it all comes together in a…
Bumbleberry Jam: A Berry Medley for Your Pantry
When summer’s bounty graces your kitchen, it often brings a unique challenge: a handful of this, a smattering of that, and never quite enough of any one fruit to make a proper batch of jam. Enter bumbleberry, the perfect solution for your leftover fruit collection. With its vibrant color and rich, multifaceted flavor, bumbleberry jam…
Homemade Mango Jam: A Year-Round Delicious Delight
If there’s one thing that brings a burst of sunshine to any meal, it’s the delightful taste of mango jam. This golden-hued preserve is not only incredibly delicious but also versatile and easy to make any time of the year. Here at Pennywise Plates, we’re all about maximizing flavor while minimizing costs, and mango jam…
A Perfect Blend: Blueberry Peach Jam
At Pennywise Plates, we love experimenting with new flavor combinations, especially when it comes to our favorite jams. One of our latest and most delightful creations is Blueberry Peach Jam. This unique blend of sweet, juicy peaches and tart blueberries creates a flavor profile that’s both refreshing and irresistible. While neither peaches nor blueberries are…
Spicing Up Tradition: Ginger Bourbon Peach Jam
Peach jam is a staple in our household, with its sweet, sun-kissed flavor capturing the essence of summer. While we don’t live in a region where peaches grow freely, we’ve found ways to keep this delightful preserve in our pantry year-round. Today, I’m excited to share a twist on our traditional peach jam recipe that…