In article t>,
"Gregory Morrow" > wrote:

> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>
> [...]
>
> > While I know there's at least one person who wouldn't be
> > disappointed if you accidentally poisoned yourself, I'm not one of
> > them. :-)

> Gee, only *one*...!!!??? ;-p

I said "at least one"
>
>
> >If you've never done any canning before, please buy a good basic text
> > for reference and follow the rules. My personal favorite is the
> > Ball Blue Book (published by Alltrista Consumer Products Company);

> I've got the Ball book, an Ortho book from about 20 years, and I think a
> Sunset book...I used to can a lot in the mid - late 80's but haven't done
> much since....

Get the newest Ball Blue Book. Be careful with the Ortho and Sunset
books (I think I have both of them, too) -- you should compare any
recipe there with one of the current tested products to be sure stuff is
acidic enough for safe BWB processing.

> > What are you planning on putting up?

> I'd like to do some okra pickles, some cantaloupe pickles, peach
> pickles, chow - chow, dilly beans...I like pickled asparagus but's
> it's kinda late in the season...I was eyeing some nice cherries to
> make brandied cherries with but do I *really* want pit 20 or so
> pounds of cherries(been there done that)?

You're the first I've known who pits the cherries first.
New pickle "rules" want the brine to be at least 50% vinegar.

> Most all this stuff I would give away as holiday gifts...people are
> always in awe that someone still does home canning so it's a good
> gift....

Step on over to r.f.preserving - you'll get lots of info there -- from
congenial folks.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> An update on 7/22/04.