Monday, August 31, 2009

Cans Across America

My lovely lady friends and I got together yesterday to participate in the Canning Across America "Canvolution." Nicole is ultra deft in her pouring abilities.
Rachel can bring home the pears, boil 'em up in a pan-and never, never let you forget she's a ham...
We opted to make spiced poached pears. They were gorgeous- we steeped them in a thyme-infused simple syrup and then swaddled them with bay leaf, black peppercorns, a bay leaf, and a crisp white wine topper. Come winter, I'm jazzing mine up with port and parking my rear in front of the wood stove. Bring it, arctic blasts and cold snaps! I am PREPARED! 
We feasted on everyone's brunch potluck offerings while the jars processed, including: mimosas;  lemon pistachio pesto on market fresh bread; cucumber & yogurt soup with mint, cumin, and dill; fresh peaches & raspberries with Jenny's granola, and Beth's blueberry crumble bars. Jenny, a fellow beekeeper, also generously shared honey from her first extraction. Golden, exquisite nectar-so good, we drizzled it straight into our mouths! Wild times! 
The recipe we used can be found here (word from the wise: peel your pears before attempting to halve them, as indicated in the recipe, unless you enjoy the sensation of slicing skin from your palm...). If you've never canned with friends before, I highly recommend it. Much like knitting circles or book clubs provide socialization and productivity, canning shindigs leave everyone feeling socially revitalized and homeward-bound with bottled-up memories of good times! 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Once again this has made me very hungry.

Anonymous said...

Wish I had been there for the fun!
Delicious fun!!

hbynoe said...

sounds rejuvenating. good times.

kd-m said...

beautiful! Now I'm adding pears to my canning wish-list! thanks for all of the inspirations!

nicole said...

good times, indeed. now i know how simple (and relatively quick) that recipe is and will likely make it again to share with family and friends.

Bailey B said...

When I read this, it reminds me of what my life used to be like and I wonder why I made the life choice I'm now suffering through. Miss you tons!

ashley english said...

Ah, but Bailey, what you are doing is SO important! Who better to be your doctor than your best bud? You'll be back with us, drizzling honey and sassing up stoves, soon enough!

What Possessed Me said...

That looks like so much fun. Love the action shots. xoxox

EcoGrrl said...

sheesh! i just canned 25 lbs of pears and now i read your spiced pear recipe? not fair :)

ps - great peeling photo, i've never been that deft!

Holly said...

So neat that you have a great group of friends who enjoy canning with you! My canning adventures are always a one-man show around here.

Amy said...

OH.MY.GOODNESS! I've read your blog off and on for a while... since I happened upon it from a magazine article I read while getting my hair 'did' :) I can't believe you know Rachel! She and I went to high school together in Charlotte!!! I now live in Western NC too!!! Man, it's a small world.... but I'd hate to have to paint it.