Earlier in the week, we received a large quantity of peaches and zucchini (of course) from our neighbors, who receive it from an organization that distributes surplus produce. I reasoned that these free goodies would be a good opportunity to experiment with preservation with no cost to us (except the cost of equipment, which is really an investment).

So, I did a little research and went out to buy pectin, paraffin, canning jars (my wife had unwisely discarded jars from spaghetti sauce, applesauce, jams and jellies, etc, against my advice necessitating this purchase. After seeing WHY I always encouraged her to save those things, I think her attitude has turned in this area), a pasta cooker (for blanching the zucchini), and a couple extra vegetable peelers to put little hands that still enjoy that task to work.

First with the peaches. I melted paraffin in a coffee can on the back burner while I made peach jam. The jam foamed up and I, the inexperienced one, didn't know until I talked with a neighbor later that you're supposed to skim off the foam. I poured it dutifully in the first jar, then followed with the paraffin. To my dismay, it appeared that the paraffin mixed in with the jam (it didn't; it simply settled beneath the foam), and so I gave the second  jar a little extra time to cool before pouring on the wax, which settled nicely. I then put the small surplus into a bowl so we could test the finished product.

We then turned our attention to the zucchini. We peeled and blanched the little buggers, and put them up in freezer bags. I am seriously wanting one of those vaccuum sealers and intend to purchase one with the returns once we start selling produce, herbs, soap, eggs, chicken, etc. (We have a grand plan on the chickens, when they're ready to butcher. Every Tuesday, the Senior Center here has a potluck, but everyone can come, not just seniors. When we butcher the chickens, I intend to buy a rotisserrie oven, then season and prepare a chicken to take to the potluck. After letting people have the "free samples", I will let 'em know I have a whole batch of chickens for sale. I might even sell the seasoning mix as well, since I intend to make it in part from homegrown herbs. That's the best kind of advertisement you can get in a little community like this). The zucchini was put away, and this morning, we "tested" the jam, which set up nicely.

Soo, we now have two quarts of homemade peach jam, three bags of frozen zucchini, and a richer compost heap. Life is good.