Saturday 27 August 2011

Preserves.

I'm right in the middle of my vegetable preserving; late August is when we have a glut of EVERYTHING.

Yesterday I did a batch of Courgettes in Tomato Sauce, and today I was to start my Ratatouille campaign; but I ran out of capsules (I use the Le Parfait, Familia Wiss, capsule method of sterilising).

I jumped into the Compact Royce, tore off to the nearest hardware store, and was somewhat stunned to see that a pack of 12 (100mm) capsules costs €7.90 (usually they just go in with other shopping, so I take no notice of price).

This tells me that each capsule costs 66 centimes. And how much does a 500 gm tin of Ratatouille cost in the shops... around 79 centimes. Meaning that, after the cost of gas etc, I'm probably not even saving 10 centimes per jar!

So, is it worth all the trouble? Well, of course it is. I know exactly what goes into each jar, I've grown it all myself up at Haddock's, and it's bottled to my own taste. I've never worked in a vegetable canning factory, but I think I can guarantee that they don't take the same care and attention as I do.
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24 comments:

  1. Canning and freezing usually don't save you money, they just guarantee quality and freshness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Same here Cro. At the moment it's cheaper to actually buy certain veg than when the amount spent on growing the stuff is totted up.

    Difference is, like you've said, you know where it's come from and how it's been grown.

    Tastes better too.

    Have you tried to get hold of some 'Campden Tablets' otherwise known as Sodium Metabisulphite (loose powder) - used in sterilising wine bottles etc. Might be cheaper buying a big tub...

    ReplyDelete
  3. We did canning about 20 years ago and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It took time, and yes, it was not as economical as buying the tomatoes and sauce, but there is the satisfaction of using your crops that you have grown. They also tasted mighty good for the next 12 months.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is exactly why I like to can. Jars and lids are not cheap. My pet peeve is when I share a jar with someone and don't get my jar back!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I totally agree, Kat. People don't realise how much they cost, or that they can be used again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmm...homemade courgettes in tomato sauce. Definately worth the effort. x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Busy time now Cro. Growing your own veggies and doing the preserving is worth the work involved, a hundred times over. Those jars of courgettes look delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Much more delicious, I'm sure...and self-satisfaction is priceless...

    ReplyDelete
  9. And you never know what little "extras" might be added by the folk in the canning factory who was just reprimanded by their boss.

    Now back to Maureen, of course her best was "Quiet Man" I have visited the street where they did much of the filming in Ireland and she is still greatly thought of. Ireland of The Welcomes Magazine did a fab article on her a few months ago and she is still stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Quiet Man was the film that made me want to visit Ireland (I still haven't), and County Mayo in particular. Brilliant film; brilliant location, wonderful actress.

    ReplyDelete
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