Preserving/Canning...

Our Tesco had jalapenos last week! I don't know if they've always been there because I haven't looked before, but they're definitely there! And it's not a very big shop either - they're with the fresh herbs and come in bags of 3-4 peppers.

I rarely make it to Tesco, since the closest store (besides our little Express store which doesn't have much) is about a 45 minute drive from here. But the few times I have been there, I have looked and not seen them. I think they may deliver here, though, so that is worth looking into! Thanks!

Do you think it would be worth getting something like this, if you want to start making jams, relishes, chutneys, marmalade, etc., and don't have any equipment?:

http://www.jamjarshop.com/shop/product.asp?catid=42&pid=112

or is some of that stuff kind of unneccessary? Would you use those regular lids, or the banded ones with the discs inside?

I will tell you a good way to preserve green mango. Just cut them into pieces, and put them in an air tight clean plastic. And then keep in your freezer at the coolest temp. The just forget about them. You can consume almost after 2 years. Believe me.

Where do you all get your jars?

I used to make delicious pickles in the US, and wanted to do some over here (as, let's face it...sweet gherkins are no match for the American Dill!)

Any good sites to order these from? I haven't found jars like the ones I used to use in the US (Ball brand, with the disk and ring lid).

Thanks!

Anyone ever make cherry jam before? I know it's out of the usual canning season, but we picked up 2kg of fresh cherries at the market in Paris yesterday (at 2.95eur a kilo!! omg!) so I fancy a bit of preserving along with the cherry pie by fiance is DEMANDING.

This recipe looks good, but I'm not sure if I should go the bought-pectin route instead and save myself all that boiling time... :/

Ok I made the cherry jam yesterday using Silver Spoon's "Jam Sugar" (caster sugar + pectin) and even though I followed their strawberry jam recipe for the ratio, mine came out WAY too runny. I'm annoyed, because unlike traditional jam making, you can't check it while it's hot to see if it's going to set - you have to do the boiling and then quickly pour it in the jars before you can test it.

I now have pretty jars of cherry syrup for puddings and ice cream... Granted, it was pretty awesome on my porridge this morning.

Cherry syrup sounds really nice. Think of all the fun you can have-

Cherry syrup sundaes
Cherry syrup over waffles
Cherry milkshakes
Real Cherry coke like from a fountain
Add with more fresh cherries and make a pie/crumble/cobbler
Cherry hot chocolate

oh wow, I hadn't considered pancake syrup or cherry cokes... oh yum!

oh wow, I hadn't considered pancake syrup or cherry cokes... oh yum!

I've been searching for decent cherry syrup for fountain style cherry cokes in the  UK for ages!  I may have to try this!

I meant to post to this thread just after Christmas- because I made a ton of cranberry apple chutney and I canned it- and I was chuffed to bits at how easy it all was to do it.  I had in my head that canning was hard going, but I couldn't have been more happy. As a bonus, I'm still eating my chutney and it tastes better and better all the time!
I can't wait to try more!

I just got an awesome preserving book from the Book People which has a lot of great recipes in it. Just wondering where the best place is to buy some jars, bottles and other equipment online?

Jewlz a while back in this thread I believe someone posted some links... if not hey bump bump bump anyone know?

I just got an awesome preserving book from the Book People which has a lot of great recipes in it. Just wondering where the best place is to buy some jars, bottles and other equipment online?

I get mine from Lakeland and eBay, mostly... I can highly recommend a canning funnel as the absolute bare minimum of canning equipment necessary!

Poundland has two sizes of jars similar to this. They all appear to be the same quality to similar jars that have cost more..

I am about to make my first attempt at preserving.  We have a damson tree in the back yard that is heavy with fruit, so I'm going to have a go with making some damson jam today.  Hopefully it works!