Sunday, May 6, 2007 - Frugal Fridays ~ May 11

My frugal tip for Friday is to make your own pickles or jams.  We estimate we saved between $30 and $50 dollars Australian making these pickles. They are made from home grown citron melons, just one melon that weighed about 5kg.  We used two cups of sugar and some vinegar.  The melons did very well despite the drought. The girls made the labels.  One girl drew a picture of a melon and the other wrote the name of the pickles.  The jars are recycled, how they came out of the dishwasher unfortunately.  You can get the rest of the old labels off if you like.  We put the jars in the oven on low and boiled the lids before use. P.S.  Here is the recipe that Leanne requested.  Her idea works. (Jam) Melon Pickles 5kg melon 6 large onions 2 tablespoons mustard 1 tablespoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1 cup sugar 8 cups vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt Cut up melon and onions, sprinkle with salt and stand overnight. In the morning strain off all liquid, mix the dry ingredients with a little vinegar, put into the pan, and stir till it boils. Then add the rest of the vinegar, the melon and onions, and boil till tender. Adapted from: P.W.M.U. Cookery Book 1982 edition. Ann Gemmell, Lothian. Our modifications are an extra cup of sugar and 4 tabs flour added 10 minutes before the end after mixing it with a bit of the pickles in a cup. We also used a handful of salt like another recipe for the salting down process. Makes 16 jars. It is a bit like cauliflower pickle.  We feel the recipe has too much vinegar and will try 5 cups next time. ~ We are going to try next time using jam melon or citron melon in place of apples and cucumber in the recipe cucumber pickles that I grew up on.

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Sunday, May 6, 2007 - Yum!

Posted by TheGoodLife

They look soo nice!! I'd love the recipe. I find using scouring pads and soaking jars in hot water gets the old labels off. Love Leanne

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Saturday, May 12, 2007 - Frugal Friday

Posted by Anonymous

I've always wanted to try these. I'll have to try harder this summer! Love your thistle tile. :-) Sherry http://redbudslane.blogspot.com

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Saturday, May 12, 2007 - Lovely!

Posted by Mrs. Brigham

Your recipe sounds delicious and I just love your picture of all your canned goodies. I had been thinking about giving canning a go this summer and think I just might have to after reading your post. :o) Have a great weekend! ~Mrs. Brigham http://inclotheslinealley.blogspot.com/

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Saturday, May 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by A Juggling Mum

Your pickles sound yummy, thanks for sharing :) Rachel xxx aka A Juggling Mum

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