Canning Party

Okay, can I say in a word ~ WOW! ~ The canning party was so much fun.  Everyone came with the most deliciously beautiful jars of homemade goods and the lids were popped off before I even got a chance to take a photo.  As our canners arrived they all got busy in the kitchen opening their jars and pouring the contents into bowls, on plates, and platters.  MmmmMmmmDelicious!

I explained to everyone that at the end of the evening there was going to be a little contest to win some great prizes that were kindly donated by Bernardin.  The contest winners would have their choice of the Bernardin Canning Kit or the Bernardin Complete Book of Home Preserving.  But, “don’t worry guys…you are all canners and thus, all winners”  so everyone goes home with a reusable Bernardin bag and their Home Guide to Preserving.  Big Thanks to Bernardin! 

Matt and I also had t-shirts and recipe cards made for everyone.  Thankfully, I have some very talented friends who were able to help me out with this project.  While, I was able to draw the mason jar, my friend Bonnie successfully captured us in stick figure form.  Notice…Matt is not wearing any pants.  And, am I in a dress?  Has that ever happened before?

This little contest “Iron Canning Canada” encouraged people to try everything…even if they didn’t think they’d like it.  And, lots of people were surprised to realize that they did like beets or cranberries?  Huh?  The variety of differently canned items was awesome and people really did flex their canning muscles showing us that it is possible to turn tomatillos into the most tasty jam.  Who knew? 

Here are just a few pictures of the preserves prior to consumption…

Bonnie's Tomatillo Jam

Richard's Cranberry Maple Vinaigrette

Kathryn's Cranberry Relish

Barry's Sweet Potato Soup

Ben's Dilled Beans and Jenn's Chow Chow

Margo's Caramel Apple Butter

Scott's Old Fashion Strawberry Jam

Suzann's Tomatillo Salsa

As our canners ate their way through a gross amount of food I watched them all struggle to fill out the ballots…and choose just three people worthy of the titles Best Presentation, Most Delicious and Most Original.  Everything was so wonderful that it made the decisions really tough.  But, alas someone has to win.

And, our winners are…(drum roll please)

Suzann - Winner for Best Presentation with Tomatillo Salsa

Bonnie - Winner for Most Delicious with Tomatillo Jam

Sharon - Winner for Most Original with Beet Apple Chutney

But, the only person to be appointed the Queen of Canning was me!  And, I walked away with this beautiful canning crown made by Kathryn and Brynn Kirbyson.  Thanks girls…I love it!

I will post more later as I have tuns to share but I also have a kitchen of mess to clean up.  Big thank you to all of you first time canners!  I am so glad that everyone gave it a try.