Using sound judgment to be more self-reliant.
A great use for overgrown zucchini, this zucchini apple pie (zapple pie) is a twist on the classic mock apple pie using sliced zucchini. The first time I made zapple pie, I served it for dessert when the neighbors came to visit. They didn't believe that the pie was made with zucchini and not apples. It's a great way to use up those giant club-sized zucchini. One zucchini about a foot long should be enough for one nine inch pie. Don't use young zucchini – they taste too much like veggies.
This red currant jelly recipe starts with a pint of current juice (or more) and sugar. No commercial pectin is needed. I sometimes add a small amount of almond extract to switch up the flavor, but it's not required. If you'd like a currant spread recipe that uses less sugar, see “Apple Currant Spread – Low Sugar with a Touch of Cinnamon“.
This recipe for pickled cherry tomatoes came about as a way of preserving the huge harvest of cherry tomatoes we had last year. The cherry tomatoes and an assortment of vegetables are cold packed and covered in hot brine. Vinegar lowers the pH, making it safe for water bath canning. Added salt and sugar tie up free water, inhibiting bacteria growth. Our neighbor (who loves pickled foods) can eat a whole jar in one sitting. Below the pickled cherry tomato recipe, you'll find more ideas for what to do with cherry tomatoes
Homemade ketchup seems somehow mysterious, but once you find a good recipe, it's not complicated to make. My youngest loves ketchup, so I tried out several homemade ketchup recipes until we found some he liked. The first ketchup recipe uses fresh tomatoes, and is suitable for canning or freezing for long term storage. The second ketchup recipe is lacto-fermented, so you get some probiotics with your burger and fries. It starts with tomato paste, so it's a cinch to whip up.
Need a new easy zucchini recipe? Make some zucchini gummy candy! This zucchini gummy candy recipe is made without jello or pectin tastes like commercial gummy treats with no artificial flavors, colors or refined sugar.
I saw a recipe online that made them with drink mix and sugar, and coated them with more drink mix – more sugar and artificial color and flavor than I prefer. So I decided to experiment with a simpler version using fruit juice concentrate. It worked out great!
