July 26, 2007 - Corn is ready!

Well, the plan for today was to work on harvesting some sweet corn.  And that is what we have been doing ALL DAY LONG!  

My husband picked over 300 ears of corn this morning and we have been shucking and preparing corn to freeze and can, both.  Today we blanched and froze a little less than 2/3's of that.  I ended up with around 20 quart sized bags.  I'm guessing there... I forgot to count as I put them into the freezer.  At the time, I was juggling freezer contents to make room... so I just forgot to count.  I also had a Tupperware Thatsa bowl (the big one) full of corn cut and prepared for canning into creamed corn.   I ran one batch through and I seem to be having trouble with the pressure canner this year.  I've never made creamed corn, and it appears I may have filled the jars too full.  I thought I left an inch clearance... but boy oh boy, they came out dark and dry and burnt looking.  My beans also have lost water in their jars... they all seal, but lose about an inch or so of water, so the beans are sticking out... but they did not burn.  I looked at the list for canning problems and the only thing I can think is that with the beans, I put too many in... it says to squish down.  I had some lighter and they floated (which means not enough beans) so I stuffed more in... and then my water seeps out!  UGHers!  But it looks like I lost 10 pints of creamed corn for sure.... that was alot of work for that. (cutting it off and scraping the cobs alone took several hours... I did around 8-9 dozen corn this way....)  My girls love creamed corn, so I thought I would go through the hassle of making it, but it is a hassle... 85 minutes in the pressure cooker alone... and to have NONE of it turn out, was a big bummer... I may just stick to freezing the corn... at least I know that will turn out and will not be undone by the pressure cooker and not filling the jar EXACTLY right...

Now my decision lies in do I finish up the last of the creamed corn... I probably have 8 more pints left... and the work for nothing is really pulling on my tired body.  I think I will lie down and think on it in the morning.  I put the corn in the fridge and if I am up to it in the morning, I"ll can them, if not... I guess the chickens get to eat it... ...I'm trying not to be upset by this... This is the only way to learn and grow... to actually try something new... but it sure is a bummer when it doesn't turn out!  (My beans are OK>.. they didn't lose MUCh water, so they will be fine, it's just the corn I'm super bummed on).  *sigh* 

Warmly, ~Melissa

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July 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jocelyndixon

The 10th Homesteading Carnival is up and posted! If you didn't submit a post, we put one of yours in! Please stop by, check it out, and announce it on your blog to let everyone know! http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Jocelyndixon/64266/

CountryGirl
Jocelyn

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