It’s A Sad Day In The Kitchen || Preserving Onions For Long Term Storage

Ben and Meg are in the kitchen today working on preserving our onion harvest for the year. After curing the onions for a few weeks, are got them cleaned up and ready for storage, and we are going through them to see what needs to be used up now and stored in different ways - frozen sliced and chopped onions, canned pickled red onions, and balsamic onion marmalade.
Today’s music, in order (available through Epidemic Sound bit.ly/2Mt3tXm ):
Intro: Let Me Love You by Loving Caliber
El Dorado by Blue Steel
Feriado by Cornelio
Free Mind by Wildflowers
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[@TomKD0QKK]

I was moaning about not having enough room in the kitchen the other day as canning season hits full stride. My wife wandered through and said, "Meg would love to have this much room." A proper chastisement. We're amazed at all you accomplish.

[@conniemitchell5725]

Pickel red onios sounds good!! You guys are definitely hard workers!! The pied piper!!

[@onacollier9957]

Meg you are an amazing wife and mother

[@dorrettscott4020]

​@@conniemitchell5725❤❤

[@LMGM5]

Meg, you are a w e s o m e! Goodness you can cook!!! ❤❤. Excellent. Blessings to you and your family. Laura M Rockaway Park, New York❤

[@claudettehernandez3402]

Maybe the stuff coroners use at the ends of their nostrils may help with onions?

[@maryjanew20]

Tyler’s recorder is a work of art. He’s very talented. I’m sure there’s a market for such beautifully made instruments.

[@rvenable8958]

Selling them might take the joy out of making them.

[@Pepper5655]

you know it.

[@jenniferhoaglin566]

I would buy one...actually 4 for my Grandbabies. Amazing job making that! So Talented. Maybe that's his calling...Woodworking. 😊❤

[@ladysmith3988]

Oh, fer sure! I'd buy one in a heartbeat, too! He does beautiful work!!

[@johnwitkowski6596]

I was in awe at his beautiful work!

[@jerrybrady9103]

Meg, you could start your own cooking channel, you are very talented and adept at explaining the process. Thanks guys for sharing your life with us. ❤😊God Bless you all. ❤

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@janetsandham7058]

I agree ,meg ,u really should

[@debbiep7419]

We made pickled red onions for the first time this year and they disappeared in just days! I have also started dicing and freezing onions and bell peppers this year. Hubby thought it was a bit silly but, as the person who does most of the cooking, it has been a huge timesaver for me.

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@anitamurphy2454]

I love having onion and peppers frozen, all different cuts. Fine onions, medium diced, strips and large cut. Peppers diced and strips. I have quick access for soup, stew, fajitas, stir fry, and egg scrambles.

[@MarciPrice-cl6eq]

I love how Meg lets nothing go to waste!

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@blairso66]

easiest way to not cry when chopping onions is get the kids to do it haha

[@sandyc6569]

😂😂😂

[@djjamison6548]

😂😂😂😂

[@kewpiefan72]

Kudos to Ben for being such a great helper with the harvests. Maybe the other homesteaders help their wives in the kitchen but don’t record it? Regardless, good job Hollers!

[@smallspaceswithGloria]

Ben and Meg are always great working together and there kids always show up to help, great kids. ❤

[@donnamays24]

Ben, I’m surprised you haven’t figured out how to put a cellar in especially since you have sloping land..wouldn’t need electricity to keep it cool if you dig below grade. Good onion haul guys! Blessings❤

[@AlpacaMade]

Good point. Seems to me there is/was a spot that is a red sand cliff-ish thing. Ram some earth into old tires, cover that with composted soil, overplant it; poof, cellar!

[@donnamays24]

@@AlpacaMade yep…as crafty as Ben is I’m sure he’s gonna come up with something soon!

[@wvhickchick]

If you freeze them for 15 mins before chopping you won't cry and becareful when you do your peppers I put m8ne next to my freezer corn and the corn ended up tasting like peppers..not good

[@suemitchell1354]

I bought snack bags at Dollar General’s, put the amount I would put in whatever I would cook,then put all the little bags in one quart, gallon,2 gallon, ever what size needed. That way my little bags don’t get lost in the freezer

[@aryanahartwell3801]

I appreciate watching you and your family work together. Growing food is one thing, harvesting and processing are a whole 'nether science. It is a wonderful way to bring families together.

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@Tianthira]

Have you guys thought about digging into the side of your hill and making a cold storage area? Using the earth to keep it cooler?

[@beccagee5905]

I believe they have addressed why this is not feasible. The hillside weeps water, when they get rain.

[@blueangelsfan4072]

Wow, toast, brie and caramelized onions sounds amazing.

[@imbroken2631]

I'm impressed with Tyler's flute, maybe you could talk the kids in letting you show some of their creations

[@sharonbrown2352]

Let Tyler play for us :)

[@TobyCatVA]

Meg is such an amazing person, filling y'all's lives with wonderous foods, smells, and love of family, she makes me so happy by making her family happy. 💗

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@sherriekemper1828]

I love watching your kids sidle up behind you to taste what mom is making. It's good to be appreciated, isn't it?

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@sandymyers1182]

What I think is cute, is when the children are watching their parents and smiling at them. Lots of love in that home

[@marilynhuffman1059]

Tyler is amazingly talented. Your children are all amazing

[@jonabriggs8829]

Such a talented family ! And, your Son ? WOWSA ! I just couldn't believe it, it looked like he bought that instrument at a store !!!!!

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@SusanJones-jz9ny]

Love hearing your daughter's sweet voice singing! And your son is very talented!

[@purpletulips4648]

And as young as she is she carries her notes very well

[@cheriekreusel9453]

Walmart has "Great Value", Meg has "Value Added", lol. Y'all's onions all the ways looked delicious!

[@trigelrice7291]

The colder the onions are, the less fumes they have. Think of gas (like for your car or mower). The warmer it is, the more fumes it has. Put them in the fridge or freezer for a little while and only take a few out at a time so they don’t have time to warm up.

[@kathleenmead9259]

I don't have a dehydrator, but have had success drying sliced onions (single layer) on a cookie sheet in a warm oven, then storing in glass jars. Wishing you a day filled with love and peace.

[@dawnbarse197]

I think I was having sympathy crying for Y'all lol I could just imagine the burn you were feeling. My daughter would hate when we would saute' onions for sauce because they were so strong lol Wow Tyler that is absolutely beautiful and it sounds so perfect you are talented. Many blessings to y'all

[@jeantaylor9119]

As a person who used to pickle etc, you have my admiration. Lovely to see your family reap the rewards of your labour. ❤️🌹

[@sheilamorse2624]

Incredible craftsmanship ! I hope one day he'll share the music that comes from his flute.

[@deannewilliams3321]

Oh my gosh, I love pickled red onions. My first pregnancy was snowballs and red onions. Fire & ice lol. And I could only find the red onions at Schweggman’s grocery in New Orleans. Bought like 3 cases and ate them all lol. Tyler!! You are mega talented to make that recorder!! I use to play that too 😊 Have a great evening yall! ✌🏻

[@wavonnewilson9272]

I love having chopped onions and garlic in the freezer! It's so easy to use.

[@oldladyfarmer7211]

I have found in my many years of processing onions that a "Good Cry" does a person good. ;) I love watching your family do your chores and daily stuff.... it makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing. I ask God to bless you all with the good things of life.

[@HilltopFarmHomestead]

Well done Tyler. That recorder is brilliant. You're a very talented young man.

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@lanyrogers5707]

It all looks so good! Onions are my favorite on everything, almost everything. Meg you make it look so easy. And Tyler's flute! Amazing talent he has. The team work you all exhibit is so refreshing,thanks for sharing all the triumphs.

[@suemitchell1354]

Onions are so good for you

[@skpettit1]

I really enjoy watching the preservation vlogs 😊

[@BirdYoumans]

I have just come to love you two and your family. It's a given that we all love watching Meg cook, and as a video editor I so appreciate how you put your videos together. Then there's little Meg and her singing. No prettier music on God's green earth than the voice of a child, especially considering she's on pitch lol! But, as a lifelong professional musician, who has some wooden flutes that were made by friends who do it for a living and make wonderful pieces, I LOVE Tyler's flute. It's really more like a recorder. That thing is BEAUTIFUL! A man after my own heart!! Of course we love watching Ben work and the boys always willing to help. But, one thing I really love. You don't preach, we see you live it (by far the most effective way to spread God's love), and you are my favorite politics free zone! By the way, I'm just "over the fence" from you outside Franklin NC in the Appalachians, God's country! ❤❤

[@sharonaqualais7565]

Meg, you sure do work hard in the kitchen. I know it is worth it! Your family and you eat pretty well do to your many cooking talents. Good job! I am glad Ben helps you.

[@ohiofarmgirl3384]

Very enjoyable video that I watched while canning potatoes. I’ve added a few more things to my canning list thanks to you!😂

[@monapotter908]

Your kids are very talented !

[@luvreading53]

Don’t cut the hairy end off. Chop the onions up to the hairy end. It wont completely eliminate the tears, but will reduce it if you are fast.

[@melissasheridan6480]

I agree with you. I do the same.

[@mommiecat]

Meg, you should totally have goggles from your soap making! I grab my soap goggles when I cut onions. :)

[@angelaminutolo5112]

I love how your family eats dinner together,we did that in the old days

[@gratitudejunkie]

I enjoy watching your channel and seeing your family all grow along with your homestead. I wear sunglasses to help with the onion crying... lol it works, a little.. I heard holding a matchstick in your teeth works too but have never tried. (UNLIT matchstick lol) God bless and thank you for letting us tag along with you guys.

[@ardenpeters4386]

matchstick in teeth DOES WORK

[@rt3box6tx74]

In summer I try to keep a cpl onions in the fridge. That seems to help with less tearage but ya have to plan ahead. Since we eat at least 1 med onion a day 2 in the fridge usually works well for me. I just don't have room to chill in bulk except in winter when I store in garage.

[@carlatroke4780]

Matchstick red end, also bread in your mouth absorbs the sulfuric compounds before they can reach your eyes.

[@patriciahusk3428]

It is so adorable when y’all are processing food in the kitchen! You worked together to peel all the onions, you cut them up and made them into some deliciousness that you’ll have during the fall and winter! This was another great video from The Hollar Homestead🤗!

[@MarciPrice-cl6eq]

We love pickled red onions! Due to my husband's Crohn's disease, he can't have onions, garlic...so I don't grow much. Onion Jam😊😊😊

[@Junkinsally]

What I did with last years onions was dice up a bunch, then divide up into 1 cup increments. I put 1 cup in a zip lock sandwich bag, then placed several sandwich bags of onions into a a large gallon size zip lock freezer bag. This worked out great as most recipes I make call for a medium onion diced, which is about one cup. Last year I planted onion sets from tractor supply and many went to seed before getting large enough to harvest. These ones I processed since they wouldn’t store. This year I purchased onion starts from Dixondale Farms. I was well pleased with how they did. Much larger bulbs than the sets and way fewer ones went to seed.

[@southloupriverhomestead4696]

Dixiondale is a game changer softball size onions instead of golf ball size onions from sets!

[@zacharyneufeld3854]

Tyler's flute-recorder is awesome ! I'd buy one of his handmade recorders ! It sounded beautiful. Now if only I knew how to play one ! Lol. Cool ! Well thanks for sharing another video !

[@revonda5204]

They're quite simple to learn how to play!

[@gkiferonhs]

The onion marmalade sounds great!! Tyler is probably aware of them, but there is a whole class of wind instruments called ocarinas. They can be made from anything from clay to gourds. Anyway, happy Tearful Tuesday!!!

[@juliefreeman-urbaniak4965]

I used to play the ocarina in the school concert band! Lol

[@jesusislord2457]

Hairspray is also good to numb fireant bites and wasp stings. Great video y'all! 🤜 Big hugs!☮️💖🙏🇺🇲✝️

[@erikas974]

Wondering if it is any good for tick bites. Pls let me know. Thank you

[@Peachy08]

Also takes ink out of cloth. Spray the ink mark and blot.

[@tinatippin5705]

Yes to freezing chopped onions and peppers. I did summer squash and zucchini de-seeded as well as shreds. So convenient.

[@highroad3580]

It’s always great to see what’s cooking in your kitchen. Throw away the garlic! Indeed! We had very few onions that stayed small. Too much rain early. Canning about every day to catch up with the garden. Freezers are about full, dehydrated apples from the trees and lots of dried green beans. Today we are dehydrating the last of the decent apples, again and canning tomato sauce. Tomorrow will do something with okra and need to make sweet relish with some of our cucumbers. Many more items to come. Will pick the Asian pears tomorrow. They are ripe, as are the Bartlett pears. Grapes are getting ready, Asian persimmons, etc. Days go fast!

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@patriciaherman6499]

Omg Tyler's recorder absolutely beautiful instrument. Never had pickled onions they sound wonderful have had the onion jam. I also chop my onions and peppers and freeze them so convenient and yes I also freeze my garlic, some I bake first and freeze also. So enjoyed today's processing and I thought Buggy was singing, but alas she was yelling at the cows 🥴. Blessings to you all. 😊🇺🇲

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@StacyWheeler357]

Meg, where do y'all buy your bread🍞 flour mix and/or all purpose flour? This is a guess but do you get it from Azure standard? And if so what is the name of it... what is the name of the Brand y'all get? 🍞🥐🥖🫓🥨🥯🥞🧇🍕🍪🥧🍰 Me and my family would sure appreciate it🥰🤗😊Ty....

[@lindaransom3013]

I think you do great in your area gardening! Also enjoying the pod cast you do with Jason. Thank you.

[@THardy.]

Your videos are so enjoyable. I love the way everyone gets involved in processing your harvest.Refrigerating onions before chopping helps, but you would need a very large refrigerator to handle 30+ lbs. of onions. Well done, you two.

[@Wildevis]

Oh boy those caramalised onions look and sound fantastic!!

[@serenityhillhomestead5392]

Meg’s positivity is infectious and inspiring.

[@beverleysimmons7885]

The cooking machine Meg. Never stops being amazing💝🇨🇦

[@kimberlyblake8705]

The balsamic onion jam is AMAZING on grilled burgers! Also, there are canning recipes for it. I'm not at home so I can't look to see which recipe I use, but there are versions for it.

[@jeaniegerdes4706]

I know 1 way to cut onions without the tears & it's very simple. Leave the roots on while your cutting. Works every time!

[@babsgilbert518]

The two of you are a pleasure to watch. Both creative and ambitious. Wishing you continued success and happiness. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@quiltermum323]

Oh wow that flute is beautiful. So much workmanship is impressive.

[@gwensmith9596]

My onions did nothing. I freeze onions also. Meg, I found a Bacon Pepper Jam, when I get ready for eating burgers, I will add mayo to it and use it as a sauce. OMG! The added favor to whatever it's used with. I bet Your smothered onions would be great with added mayo on a burger also. Yum. I

[@CarriesCulinaryCrafts]

I scared to watch 🤣

[@dianekilbourne5734]

If you ever want to try this Chelsea from Little Mountain Ranch uses swim goggles when chopping onions and swears by them.

[@cod4848]

🙂Tip! if there is a chance of a late night frost when onions, potatoes and other root vegetables are planted, cover the ground with straw. It keeps the frost off the ground and retains moisture later in the summer

[@HumbleHillsHomestead]

Hey so just fyi....I did this with a box of onions last year and learned the hard way that they need to be double bagged in the freezer. Everything in the freezer had an onion smell and some even a taste. I honestly suggest that it would even be worth it to go back and put a second bag on now even though I know they're already in freezer. It is so great having prechopped onions!!!!

[@Steve-od6hi]

Thanks for sharing ALL that you did, young girls and woman can learn a whole lot from this, as Buggie is. Brings tears to my eyes of what a real family should be, and I also loved the flute, it was beautiful, hand crafted, worthy of a keepsake or high priced instrument. Loved and enjoyed every bit of this video.

[@sandyc6569]

😊👍

[@pattiripley7599]

I’ve tried everything over the years and you’re right nothing worked. I think I finally just got used to it and I don’t tear up anymore. However I do say don’t stand right over the onion bits little bit back so the fumes go up and not into you. Nothing else ever worked. Not even swim goggles and snorkel

[@maryjemison1101]

I love pickled red onions ❤❤

[@ronf9410]

Your son's flute was a really neat project! He is very talented. Keep up the good work on all your kids! We love your family.

[@heartofmythril]

I love my husband very much. However I do all of the homesteading. Cleaning, cooking, animal care, building the coops, trellises, etc. It's all on me. It's wonderful to see you guys working together as a team. It's what I wanted before depression took my husband from me.

[@patriciaober4647]

Don't chop the root off when slicing and dicing onions. It should be the last cut done. Why not dig an underground root cellar to store all your root vegetables. It would be cool in the summer and warm as not to freeze in the summer.

[@oliviafox3605]

Hey Ben..."A joke is not a 'Dad Joke' until it has GROAN 🤣😂😝😍😁

[@bigdaddy741098]

I can tell you a trick for onions that Has worked for me... Put them in the freezer for a little while until they nice and cold before you chop them.

[@barbaramarion4363]

Inspired to make onion marmalade!! So yummy 😊

[@Truelaine1]

Just found your channel and I must say I am enjoying it greatly! I love the way you have a healthy traditional role family. I would love to have that in my life. Your family is lovely.

[@catherineoneal1030]

I think y'all should right a book called, "The Hollar Homsteader" and fill it full of Ben's "How-To" hacks and clever short-cuts" and Meg's yummy recipes (maybe even a couple of How-to's on soap and loofah making?) and maybe a chapter on how to make a flute from your creative son. Just a suggestion. I'm willing to bet it would be a total hit. Only in your spare time, of course. You guys are busy bees, maybe a ghost writer??? I know I would certainly buy one!

[@alexcarrn28]

Don't you dehydrate the onions and garlic ? Or do you use them out of the freezer and enjoy them more from the freezers ? Just curious ? ?

[@freedomtraveler2740]

How to chop onions-don’t chop the root end off. Always works for me unless a very very potent onion

[@shawnvancuren6936]

Chop your onions as you harvest no tears I promise. If you let them sit they get old and that's why you have tears😢

[@debbieorazi2518]

I'm with you Meg. One clove of garlic is sacrilege! Being Italian we tend to put garlic in everything but our oatmeal.

[@mayshellemyers4675]

If you chop them under running water I promise it does work..

[@msplum3306]

Meg should think about doing a canning/preservation and cook book. Bet it would be a best seller. 😊

[@MarilynR-xu3nq]

What's wrong with building a cold room in the back of your barn, or add on to it.

[@rentedspace7462]

Working in kitchens we always cut onions under the exhaust fan

[@janecrist8406]

Hey guys. I save onion skins and freeze them. When I want to make any kind of bone broth I throw 6he skins in a long with a whole onion. The skins add to the rich brown color to the broth, as well as add some extra onion flavor to it.

[@andreamorrison8419]

I use swimming goggles when cutting onions. Works wonderful!

[@hestiasgardenhomestead7562]

I failed with onions, but I have 120 heads of garlic

[@esteeb42]

I was just curious if you've ever tried refrigerating your onions before you chop them? We refrigerate or onions and never have an issue with tears😊

[@gaylewatkins4685]

Thanks for sharing your entire onion process. Preparing the onion bed, planting, harvesting, curing then preparing the onions for the freezer and water bath and how you store your fresh onions. Huge job!! Well worth the effort and all organic grown. Awesome video‼️

[@ingridskitchengarden]

Kids are growing up eating well. ❤

[@kathyw1710]

Thank you for sharing your family with me. I love watching you, but I would like to see more of your farming, etc. and give the lady a break in the kitchen.🥰

[@bettypearson5570]

Might want to consider tossing some cooked bacon in that marmalade.

[@denahensley9459]

Really enjoyed video today!!! Love the togetherness!!

[@patriciakoester1580]

Oh man both look Delicious!!!! Patricia

[@deniseharris9363]

Meg you are an incredible cook!!! I hope your entire family appreciates how fortunate they are!!! Amazing how inventive you are!!!

[@irmibullinger1421]

When I bring a bag of onions from the store, I chop all but one and freeze. I also freeze chopped celery, bell peppers and the Jalapeno that I actually can grow! Oh also last year I froze a ton of tomatoes (peeled first) to add to soup or stew. I just used the last of the tomatoes out of the freezer from last year. Sadly this year my tomatoes have done NOTHING! I'm getting enough to eat and that's it

[@calicocowacres]

Balsamic onion & fig jam (probably similar to what you’re making) is what I always make to put on our bbq pulled pork sandwiches with like an apple cabbage slaw. Sooo yummy! The frost killed our onions, too, and I think I probably got the same sets you guys did and they did not do well😂 but I also was horrible about weeding around them. Oh well, we’ll try again!

[@deborahrobinson9721]

I love you guys and so enjoy watching your videos.

[@taewebster6304]

Next season you should let the red onions go to seed and harvest the seeds for that next season?

[@itsbadlands]

love y'all ! sending BLESSINGS your way ALWAYS!!!! Jesus love's The Hollar Homestead!!!!

[@oliviafox3605]

CONGRATULATIONS on 150K!!!!!

[@nicoleolson1347]

Megs positive attitude is such an encouragement And buggy singing 😍

[@justmyself3656]

Aqua Net........ the best for soooo many, and various things!!!!!!!! Never leave home without it!!! ESPECIALLY when you have children!!!!! It cures so so very many evils!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂❤

[@Hcollingwoodfoxy]

Okay Meg... So the easy bread recipe from a few episodes ago is soooo good... It's now my go to bread recipe... Thank you!!

[@lamooohey4671]

Can you please put the onion butter recipe on screen please.