tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post2351428083565837297..comments2023-10-21T16:38:35.007-05:00Comments on Thoughts from Frank and Fern: The Grape FiascoFrank and Fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-12793812575565689852014-03-24T20:00:09.451-05:002014-03-24T20:00:09.451-05:00Thanks again, Tina.
FernThanks again, Tina.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-14480308232692525492014-03-24T18:24:19.131-05:002014-03-24T18:24:19.131-05:00Naples, New York has a grape fest every fall when ...Naples, New York has a grape fest every fall when the grapes are ready for harvest..... the place "crawls" with grape pies. try googling itCatinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08292213646831203184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-29560023457818154312014-03-24T08:18:44.949-05:002014-03-24T08:18:44.949-05:00I have never heard of a grape pie.......
FernI have never heard of a grape pie.......<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-2776489963219107422014-03-24T08:17:31.746-05:002014-03-24T08:17:31.746-05:00I have something similar to the Squeezo, Tina, it&...I have something similar to the Squeezo, Tina, it's a Victorio. I just wanted to use the KitchenAid version for ease. I even tried it again later on with another kind of grapes, but the same thing happened. What I would really like is for my seedless grapes to start producing so I could make raisins. We eat many more raisins than fresh grapes or any kind of preserves. Thank you for the encouragement. I will not give up finding ways to preserve our harvest. Welcome to the blog. I hope you find other things here of use to you.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-35484750667732932472014-03-24T08:01:31.860-05:002014-03-24T08:01:31.860-05:00Just saw were you nixed the idea of fruit leathers...Just saw were you nixed the idea of fruit leathers. What about making grape pies? Where I live they are a huge hit in the fall. Tina HCatinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08292213646831203184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-63772938046348662292014-03-24T07:57:57.554-05:002014-03-24T07:57:57.554-05:00Fern ,
I just found your blog. I ( like many othe...Fern , <br />I just found your blog. I ( like many others ) am big into canning and preserving. I would suggest you looking into a " Squeezo" . It is a type of food mill, but the beauty is it takes the seeds and skin or the fruit/veg , dumps it one way then the the pulp /meat goes another direction. Mine came with 3 different screens . One for berries, one for tomato/apple type produce and the last for pumpkin/squash. You can take that Grape mash , place it on a plastic type screen for your dehydrator and make fruit leathers to eat. Best of luck and don't give up. Tina HCatinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08292213646831203184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-39086229172274790302013-09-15T21:06:59.093-05:002013-09-15T21:06:59.093-05:00No thanks on making leather. I am finished with th...No thanks on making leather. I am finished with those grapes! We haven't even eaten any of the grape butter yet....<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-63181147285807851532013-09-15T15:31:59.715-05:002013-09-15T15:31:59.715-05:00Oh, the memories you brought back from last year. ...Oh, the memories you brought back from last year. I gleamed some grapes from an empty lot near by and thought I'd make some jelly or juice or something. I think I had every pan, bowl, and bucket dirty after but I did get more juice then your one pint. My kitchen walls also got a good cleaning! My folly-food mill ended up being the champ in my grape fiasco. I still have juice 'bricks'(I froze it in loaf pans to save space) left over from last year. Makes great jelly if I needed more jelly. HA!<br /><br />How about making some grape leather in the dehydrator? That's pretty good and your pint would make a couple of trays I bet. <br /><br />Now, Off to go see what a Mehu Liisa looks like. I'm Always learning something here!herdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05931435597196563588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-29444628354985528872013-09-14T16:44:16.957-05:002013-09-14T16:44:16.957-05:00Glenda,
I recently read about some alternatives to...Glenda,<br />I recently read about some alternatives to using grape leaves when fermenting - "fresh grape, raspberry, oak, blackberry or cherry leaves (these types of leaves supply tannins, which help keep the pickles crispy and crunchy)" If you have access to any of those, maybe you won't have to plant grapes. I plan on trying some of the blackberry leaves that grow wild on our property. Here's the link to the article I pulled the quote from: http://www.primallyinspired.com/ridiculously-easy-homemade-dill-pickles/LizBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-55347475443388297352013-09-14T13:47:09.678-05:002013-09-14T13:47:09.678-05:00That sounds pretty easy. Thank you for sharing!
F...That sounds pretty easy. Thank you for sharing!<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-56262567449183753112013-09-14T13:46:29.399-05:002013-09-14T13:46:29.399-05:00You are very kind. Blessings to you.
FernYou are very kind. Blessings to you.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-41815113139876643752013-09-14T13:45:50.641-05:002013-09-14T13:45:50.641-05:00Hi CQ,
In some ways it's just as fun to blog ...Hi CQ,<br /><br />In some ways it's just as fun to blog about what went wrong as what went right.<br /><br />I look forward to our fruit trees producing. Then I may feed these grapes to the chickens, too! I like eggs better.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-86858764121719556932013-09-14T13:44:26.488-05:002013-09-14T13:44:26.488-05:00You are very welcome. I hope something along with ...You are very welcome. I hope something along with way will help you out in some way.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-47664594691987777472013-09-14T13:43:45.846-05:002013-09-14T13:43:45.846-05:00I don't know if I just didn't get the mill...I don't know if I just didn't get the mill put together right, or it was too tight or what. <br /><br />Thanks for the information. I'm glad it will be a year before I try anything again!<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-58039549456908144132013-09-14T13:36:53.555-05:002013-09-14T13:36:53.555-05:00Since this fiasco occurred we have also been looki...Since this fiasco occurred we have also been looking at a Mehu Liisa or something like it. When I reread what I wrote, it is rather funny. More so now than it was then....<br /><br />Thanks, Glenda.<br /><br />FernFrank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-13565980577736174232013-09-14T11:11:10.440-05:002013-09-14T11:11:10.440-05:00LOL - just this morning I told my husband we need ...LOL - just this morning I told my husband we need to plant grapes. We don't like grape juice, jelly, or the grapes per se, but the grape leaves are highly recommended for using to keep vegetables crisp when fermenting. <br /><br />We have ALOT of currants and bush cherries;they have a tiny seed inside, also. Normally, I cook them down and we strain them through a stainless steel sieve. I have several glass half gallon canning jars full in the freezer waiting for them to become jam whenever time allows.<br /><br />I like to keep tools to a minimum and use them for several purposes, but as we have aged (in our mid-60's now) and find ourselves a bit slower and with more on our plate these days, we've decided to invest in whatever tools will help speed the process up. We try to purchase items that can be used without electricity, if at all possible, as we have a wonderful woodburning cookstove for a backup plan.<br /><br />This year we bought a Mehu Liisa, after reading about it and seeing it in action, on Jackie Clay's blog 'Ask Jackie.' We haven't tried it yet, but will do so in the future. There will be another huge crop of currants, cherries, and plums next year, Lord willing. When I read your post today, I thought it might work on grapes, also.<br /><br />Thank you so much for all of your wonderful posts. I look forward to them each day.Glendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-45934894089283075702013-09-14T11:03:46.626-05:002013-09-14T11:03:46.626-05:00I have an old recipe of my great-grandmother's...I have an old recipe of my great-grandmother's for canning grape juice. Quart mason jars - Put 1 cup of grapes in the jar, add sugar, about 1/4 cup, fill w/ boiling water. Cap w/ sterilized tops. Process. It is delicious. We love grape juice. I put the cooked grapes in the apple sauce thingy and it works great to get the juice to make jelly w/. Just saying. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-31639421301705713212013-09-14T09:25:58.127-05:002013-09-14T09:25:58.127-05:00I am learning so much by reading your adventures. ...I am learning so much by reading your adventures. Your attitude about failures and successes and them all being teaching moments is inspiring. I know you must get tired from working on and off the farm but I love your blog and am so thankful for it. God bless!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-67426823628347638742013-09-14T08:40:46.476-05:002013-09-14T08:40:46.476-05:00Oh my! You know when my kids were little and ate l...Oh my! You know when my kids were little and ate lots of jelly I made grape jam and jelly. Now that they are gone I make a little juice for the grands and the chickens get the remainder. I get eggs : ) I find other things to can that I produce and try to produce enough that I can pick and choose. I choose crops that I get lots of output and enjoy rather than canning things just because I have it. As you get more established at your farm and get more fruit producing you will be able to do that also. Now I make decisions about what to can and what not to based on how much freezer room I have, how many jars I have and what I want to fill that area with that gives me the most nourishing food, keeps the longest and has a high caloric/protein content. <br /><br />I have definitely had my grape butter episodes through the years though! <br /><br />Hugs from The Holler<br />CQ<br /> the canned quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08161381921874364319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-86918535941871715612013-09-13T23:03:42.566-05:002013-09-13T23:03:42.566-05:00Thank you thank you thank you. Every choice you ma...Thank you thank you thank you. Every choice you make is one I get to watch and I am grateful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04140427133553688370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-44172538540364052842013-09-13T22:44:55.457-05:002013-09-13T22:44:55.457-05:00From the photos, these look like table grapes - me...From the photos, these look like table grapes - meant for eating out of hand and not jam. (Channel "When Harry Met Sally" for how to deal with seeds!)<br /><br />You could try processing these grapes as you would Concord grapes - slipping the skin off of each grape (yes, every one!) You then add a bit of water (3/4 c. )to the skins and cook down for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the insides down with no water for about the same time. Run the insides through a food mill. (Mine is hand-operated and old school...I never have any problems.) Mix the cooked skins and the grape pulp together with sugar... 6 cups per 2 quarts of grapes. Boil for 10 minutes. Add one box of pectin and follow directions. Can as for jam. Makes about 3 pints. If you have a Ball canning cookbook, this is their recipe.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06039969829520234519noreply@blogger.com