Dole Pineapple Juice: The Sweetness of Sisters and Pears!
If you’ve ever canned fruit, you know that it’s a big job. It’s no easy task and it takes a lot of time. My sister came over in October and we canned pears together, which has become an annual tradition for us.
This time we used 1/2 water and 1/2 Dole pineapple juice, which made a sweet and tasty combination.
I realize not everyone has the time to can, but for those who are interested, it’s a wonderful way to show your family and loved ones you care by preserving healthy, beautiful foods. And besides, the jars are so beautiful to look at! I also use these pears when I make my Vanilla Pear French Toast breakfast!
I believe canning has become a lost art because of the time involved. Many are interested, I know, because I get inquiring emails from time to time, but canning can be overwhelming because it’s unfamiliar, unless you have someone to teach you how. I got started by finding all of my canning jars at yard sales for a very little amount of money.
My sis and I could have found other things to do on this rainy Sunday, but we also love to spend time together.
What better way than to create something meaningful that our family could enjoy!
Do you have any experience with home canning? Or do you plan on looking for supplies at yard sales this year?
(Even though I did recently visit Dole Foods, and they paid for my trip, they did not pay me to write this today.)
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I had wanted to learn for years how to can anything. My Daddy brought all of his canning stuff to my house with 25 pounds of tomatoes and a Better Homes &Gardens book from1973 .He said here,I know you can do this. I did! I went canning crazy! I’ve canned tomatoes, diced tomatoes, peaches, tomato juice,salsa,blackberry jelly, blueberry jam, peach jam, strawberry jam ,muscadine jelly, scupernong jelly….all this my first year. Someone from church gave me a bag of pears. I believe I have become obsessed!Thanks for the info on how to can my pears. Off to work on them!
Pingback: I Can-Can! | Simply Mrs. Edwards
We moved to a new home about two years ago, There is a large pear tree in our backyard. Last year, I gave them all away. This year, I really want to do something with them. I am already finding lots and lots of big pears. Isn’t it too early? I don’t know what I’m doing so any advice would be helpful! :)
PS- I love your blog and book. I had no clue how to entertain before I discovered all your tips and encouragement.
I can most of the year. Having a vinegar allergy in the family – condiments used to be a no-no. But I learned how to make just about any condiment you can buy and make my own, can them and line them up on the shelves of my pantry. Love it!
I also can homemade marinara sauce, jellies, jams, tomato everything, fruit, etc. It is a time consuming process that I do out of love. Having a severe allergy makes shopping at a store a little stressful – you have to read every label. But if you are making it all at home – you know exactly what is going into it. And that helps me sleep at night – that I have done all I can to take care of those that I love.
I grew up in a canning family and my husband and I continue the canning tradition. I have to admit, one of my favorite parts about canning is seeing all those pretty jars lined up on our pantry shelves. They are like little sparkling gems to me (I know, I am odd! LOL). We have canned pears but, I never thought to use pineapple juice. I love this idea! I can’t wait to try this. Thank you!
I just LOVE your blog and all your amazing ideas…I am going to do this with my sisters when I travel to Minnesota this summer…MEMORIES!!! Thank you for all you are teaching women…you are a GIFT! Onward!!
Last summer was the first time I ever canned and every time I open up a jar of tomato soup, I wonder. You would be able to smell something if it was bad, wouldn’t you? I love homemade tomato soup, especially when its really cold outside. Actually I had a bowl last night and I’m still ok :0)
this sounds yummy! I love to can, but didn’t do any this last year. Maybe this year
I guess I haven’t officially “canned” yet…as in the equipment, water bath, etc…but I do make jam….and applesauce…and “can” those. I am on the hunt for some equipment, and I got the best book for Christmas (besides yours of course…:) ) The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving…can’t wait to try it out! Those pears looks so lovely, and must give you such a feeling of satisfaction.
We don’t tend to ‘can’ together our family, but we do love to ‘jam’ :) I agree with you, canning & preserves have sadly become a bit of a lost art, but ending up the day with a bounty of preserves to last for months to come is just one of the things you get from the experience, the other is the wonderful bonding, laughing, catching up you do with people you love. I love days & weekends like this, lots of fun :)
I want to learn to can too. My MIL puts up lots of veggies for us every summer. I’ve just always been intimidated by the whole process. I’m going to learn how to do it this summer though. I really want my 13 and 11 year old to be better educated about homemaking than I was growing up. Don’t get me wrong, my Mom is the best. However, in that one area she didn’t really take the initiative to teach my and my sisters. Of course, we weren’t beating down her door to learn either. Haha!
I canned apple butter with my mom this Fall, it was such a fun day. Just like the “good ol’ days”!
As a little girl, I remember my Mom canning… but unfortunately never learned to do it myself. I think it would be a neat way to spend an afternoon with a friend or sis!
I have wanted to can for so long… but it is almost the scariest thing I could imagine attempting in the kitchen… I like the idea of doing it with friends or family though… thanks for the inspiration:)
Great post Sandy. Those pears look stunning!
The first year I moved to Salt Lake City we rented a house and it had an apricot tree in the back yard. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful before or since, as that tree if blossom. Then came the fruit. Zucchini’s have absolutely nothing on apricot trees if that one was typical. I made an canned preserves, froze them, ate the, gave them away. It won in the end I think; I was too tired to keep score at the end.
Having homegrown tomatoes made me can spaghetti sauce. I used the recipe from the Tightwad Gazette. Whenever I opened one of those jars it made it a special dinner, that sauce was so delicious.
Unfortunately, here in Britain I’ve not come across sufficiently cheap foods. Also, my stockpot rusted out and I’ve not found another quite as big. I’m up to have another go sometime, though!
The only thing we can regularly is Great Aunt Myrtle’s recipe for Green Tomato Relish. Anyone who tastes it falls in love with it…and yes…you really can fall in love with relish. :)
We make 2 huge pots of it every year at the end of summer. It involves much cutting, chopping & grinding and so has turned into a big family affair. Even the little ones like to stand on a chair & push veggies through the grinder with the wooden pestle. There’s usually 10 or 12 of us working on it each time. Everyone wants to be able to take home a good supply to hold them over till the next year. And it’s not just for hotdogs! We use it in tartar sauce, egg or ham salad and devilled eggs – among other things. It’s the best! Making it is a BIG job – but it’s fun to do together.
I canned jam for the first time this summer. After a very lucrative visit to the blueberry farm with my girls, I needed something to do with all those blueberries. They made the most fabulous blueberry lemon jam, and we are still enjoying the fruits of ur labor from the summer. I also found strawberries on sale muco cheapo at the grocery and made them into strawberry champagne jam. Oh my! So yummy! Glad to know about the pears. I’ve never canned whole fruits. I’ll give it a try!
I was one of those people who wanted to try canning, but was always afraid to attempt it. This past fall my sweet in-laws bought me all the equipment I needed to get started giving me no excuse to put it off another year. And I did it!!!! Tomato sauce in September and applesauce in November! All those filled, sealed jars lined up on my kitchen counter was the most beautiful sight! I’m hooked and will be doing much more next year! Isn’t the sound of a jar sealing one of the best sounds ever??!! :)
Maybe I’m blind, but where is the recipe for this? I’d love to try it, but all I can see is use 1/2 water, 1/2 pineapple juice…THANKS!
I really want to learn how to can, but there is that fear element that keeps me from it. Like what if I do it wrong and something happens and someone gets sick? Plus I’d definitely want to watch someone do it as I’m a visual learner. And I haven’t found anyone yet. But I am looking.
Have a great day my friend. I’ve missed stopping by but I’ve been a bit busy with moving and all.