The Joy of Small Batch Canning, A Pantry Tour - November 15

Come See My Darling Pantry!
Act I - Pickles 3 Ways, Perennial Favorites and New Stuff Too
Act II - Let’s Us Talk About the Notion of Self Sufficiency
Act III - Are We Preppers?
Growing, building and cooking in New England, zone 6b
Instagrams - / mailerslanding and / thisrabbit
Facebook - / mailers-landing-tiny-h...
Mailer's Landing shop - etsy.me/3hZOIdd

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

The more I listen to you the more I love this point of view. So much less pressure on a person.

[@MailersLanding]

Right? I’m pretty sure we’re all in this together ♥️

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

Love your attitude regarding not having to do EVERYTHING!

[@7snj]

Oh my gosh am I loving your energy and joy! Also, the little racoon on your shelf! The assumption that we have to can large batches of home grown food for it to be a valuable and joyful process was a real block until I found a book that talked about the virtues of small batch. I have never been so happy as with my first 5 jars of tasty jam! It's still pretty rare that I do more than 7 jars of anything, but I still sit there watching bubbles, adore how pretty the colours are, and make my partner come over to ohh and ahh as I continue to give him the update on which ones have sealed. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@MailersLanding]

I absolutely feel you on the excitement of a little batch of brave soldiers plinking on the counter - I too call my husband over to look

[@joypolk3093]

Love that you have a comfy little rocker in your pantry!

[@MailersLanding]

It wound up there at some point while reorganizing, and never made it back upstairs ~.o

[@angeliquemcniff3076]

Two people here. Except for broth, all small batch. I love grabbing a jar of jelly and having 7 varieties (so far) and not having to consume 20 jars of one type. Also, I made boysenberry. I have one plant and it made 8 jars - perfect! I have 1 fig tree so 12 jars of fig conserve. Why would I make more? The same with green tomato relish; it’s fun to try and with 4 jars 🫙 if I don’t like it we can toss.

[@MailersLanding]

I love everything about this, omg - I showed your comment to my husband & he giggled, because we had just been talking about how variety over a handful is such a pleasure, and how a whole bunch of anything ends up sitting longest because *burnout*. That boysenberry & your fig don't mess around! How fantastic - and just right, right? I'm looking forward to having more fruit here at some point - we put in some cherry trees last year, and plums the year before. They should fruit in the next couple years (::crossies::), & I'm already thinking about recipes >.>

[@Andy-fr1hu]

What a charming pantry! I love canning also and you can see the care and love you put into your jars :-)

[@MailersLanding]

Thank you so much! Welcome =)

[@user-nb5sv7cr6g]

Hello, it's so nice to see you happy and content and undaunted about what you do! I am new to the whole thing and since it's just my husband and I, I only wanted to can and preserve the things we actually eat and use. I'm good with that and don't care what everyone else is doing. But thank you for sharing and letting me know I'm not alone or stupid for only wanting to do small batches in the about we use at one time. Keep doing what pleases you and keep sharing, and I will keep watching.🥰

[@MailersLanding]

You are absolutely neither alone nor stupid - I'm here with you on the small batch goodness! So glad to meet you

[@suzanneroberge494]

Loved the joy on your face when you said you loved your pantry. I small batch can as well, it's kind of funny you seemed to feel like you had to be apologetic for not canning large amounts or growing every item yourself! I plan to do about 6 pints vintage

[@sandramccollum1882]

I love doing small batches of stuff, I canned apples this year only did 10 jars red mountain apples, have green apples going to can some of them, I canned about 10 jars of blueberries only have 2 blueberry bushes, have about 2 doz.jars of cherry tom. this year, and about 6 jars of potatoes but have a small garden, and some chickens

[@MailersLanding]

That sounds so wonderful - and your blueberry bushes aren't messing around =D How do you like to do your potatoes? I've been thinking about canning some up this season, and am curious about different methods. Welcome!

[@victoriablanc761]

I appreciate this as there are only two of us so I do one canner load at a time. 7 litres or 12 ish pints. I prefer to do small batches of a lot of different things from sour cream to fruits and veggies to rice pudding and juices. nice to have a good variety of canned foods to choose from. and who knows if there is any kind of major disaster we can huddle in place and eat really well.

[@miamor282]

I love that you have some wide varieties of canned food that i dont normally see from others panty tour.

[@MailersLanding]

Thank you! I love to play with flavors

[@poodlegirl55]

You have a lovely variety there, I admire your willingness to try new things. I grow very little of what I can. We are in our seventies and when we moved we never put in a big garden. I buy from the nearby Amish and a local community garden. I like it because I can go out and get the food at the time I want it and in the quantity I want and come home and can it that day.

[@MailersLanding]

How perfect is that? I celebrate you!

[@poodlegirl55]

@@MailersLanding I think many senior citizens stop canning because they can't keep up the big gardens anymore and that's a shame. We do have a few raised beds and an herb garden. Our six tomato plants this year produced massive amounts due to very hot weather and a long growing season. I still have some in the freezer I need to make sauce from, I couldn't keep up.

[@MailersLanding]

@@poodlegirl55 - you are not alone! I moved three 2gal bags from our last freezer to our new freezer yesterday

[@belindaorozco620]

I love the variety of things you have canned! Go girl! I will love to see more canning videos.

[@MailersLanding]

YaY! Thank you so much! More as it happens - & thank you for coming along for the adventure

[@carolynmoody9460]

You came up on my feeds today.. enjoyed your video an personality so much I subscribed to your channel looking forward to your videos

[@MailersLanding]

Aww, shux, thank you =) Welcome! I'm glad to meet you

[@melisaarmstrong2293]

You seem like such a delightful person.

[@MailersLanding]

Awww

[@cathyrogers9276]

I love your energy and outlook! I can for 2 different reasons, my husband is self employed (covid almost closed the business) and because it gives me joy. Having jams that are almost impossible to buy makes me happy. We prefer the taste of my tomato sauce and pickles. I do what brings me joy and if having shelf stable food is convenient then people can call me a prepper, they still eat my food happily!

[@MailersLanding]

Right?? It's like, this is the House Rules but for food instead of board games - like, I always find myself mentioning that this is *our* beans accompanying dinner, or *our* pickles going into work with someone. It's customized! It tastes like home

[@Jennifer83]

This is the first video I have seen of yours and I subscribed. Love your sense of humor and your viewpoint on community. I wish more people thought like this.

[@MailersLanding]

Awww - thank you! Glad to meet you; welcome

[@jeanniewahine5443]

Me, too!

[@growingagreenthumb4420]

I am in New England too. I need to know where you got the cute jars. You get as excited over canning as I do. I love it

[@MailersLanding]

JARS omg, YES! I am a fanatic about cute jars! Believe it or not, most of them I picked up at the farm store nearest to us. If you're near New Braintree, MA, I would encourage you to check out Hardwick Coop - they carried the Kilner jars shaped like raspberries and strawberries. I was also really stoked about the half-pint Kerr jars with the smooth sides and the Anchor Hocking half pints that I put the relish in - I'm pretty sure I got those at a Klem's, but be forewarned, their selection can be hit-or-miss (I got lucky over the summer ~.o)

[@growingagreenthumb4420]

@@MailersLanding I am in CT so not far. Wonder if I can get them to let me add a destination on Sunday when we go to Yankee Candle lol. Oh the family is going to hate me 🤣

[@MailersLanding]

@@growingagreenthumb4420 - Oh, but they will love the jars that you fill up xD I'm rooting for you!

[@suzanneroberge494]

Sorry... My text got messed up. I plan to do about 6 half pints of pepper relish today. I found a small vintage pressure cooker canner that I thought would do 4 quarts, perfect for my needs. Sadly, it will only 5 half pints. This isn't a total loss for me, because I actually don't do much with quarts anyway, but I did expect it would do pints. Anyway, you are full of joy & I'm happy for you-keep having fun with food prep. God bless.

[@MailersLanding]

Omigoodness, thank you so much! And thank you for calling me out on sounding apologetic - I'm working on that (lifelong Big Work ~.o) It's lovey to meet you

[@suzanneroberge494]

@@MailersLanding I will get to use the pressure canner. I raw pack meat by the half pints, and I think it'll come in handy at other times too. Don't the vintage pieces have a feel that warms the heart just to look on, even if they're rarely needed or used? I made my 1st pint of home made sauerkraut recently & as it turns out, I may have an old wooden tamper that might be for making kraut. I've had it for years and didn't know what it was for! I hope I kept it now that I have a use for it! Relish is in process, I'll be canning it up this afternoon. And I think your pantry is charming and orderly. And I think you like Indian food, based on some of your spice choices! You're an adventurous canner-good for you! Take care & keep on smiling. God bless.

[@suzanneroberge494]

@@MailersLanding p.s.: I hope you didn't feel like I was criticising you. I want to encourage you to be you-there seems to be a fair number of folks who will try to tell you you need to be doing life how they are & I'd hate for you to get dragged down from that kind of feedback.

[@MailersLanding]

@@suzanneroberge494 - Oh, how wonderful! I know what you mean about the vintage stuff - it's like the tools have become imbued with all the people who have handled them, like they carry spirit, if that makes sense? That tamper must be a joy to work with - what a wonderful rediscovery

[@MailersLanding]

@@suzanneroberge494 - not even a little bit ::hugs:: I took it in the sprit intended, and I sincerely appreciate the feedback. I do a fair amount of apologizing without need, and have been working on that, literally, for years, with varying levels of success ~.o A dear friend said to me once, "Is anyone bleeding? No? Is anyone crying? No? Nothing to apologize for." I try to keep her in my head. I think I forget that also sometimes my face betrays me, and that not all apologies are spoken. Here's to us all representing ourselves like we take us seriously. You reached out in kindness, and I appreciate your reminder. I celebrate you =)

[@VagabondAnne]

Growing a garden, enjoying DIY/hands-on processes, managing gluts, eating in season on a backyard scale, and eating well as a foodie family. If it makes you more self-sufficient, happier, and healthier, good on you!

[@MailersLanding]

[@shelleyhender8537]

I think your TITLE attracted a number of us for a myriad of reasons. Some are the one’s you listed. I also prepare meals for a single, middle aged woman…grand total of household is 1, but I enjoy giving to others far more! And when it comes to BAKING…well…it’s like another force takes over, I grow wings, and have endless energy of a wee child, eager to share all the delightful baked goodness to as many homeless, shelters, elderly in senior’s complexes, the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, and do what as much as I can, with the very little I have to work with! Hopefully, more joyful, generous hearts will give more, in whatever manner they can with this year being so brutally hit! It’s times like these that human compassion and generosity soars….and when Vlogs and helpful videos and similar content can become handy and thrifty with the SEASON of GIVING literally upon us! And more than ever before, we will have an opportunity to see how little contributions from humble homes and ideas as this, can help close to half the population have a far better cushion to fall upon! It’s truly empowering and encouraging to see people become excited about growing, preparing, and storing their own food! I grew up with a family and culture that still continues this practice, and hop the ALL generations become invested and excited about such matters!☺

[@MailersLanding]

Your baking endeavours are inspiring, friend - I celebrate you! What is it about giving something made with our own hands that makes us feel so right and balanced? I don't know if you're a sci-fi fan, but there's a quote that's repeated often in the Expanse series that flows through my mind all the time: "The more you share, the more your bowl will be plentiful." We're just so much better together. Welcome - glad to meet you

[@shelleyhender8537]

@@MailersLanding I knew there was something special about you! Not only are you so well spoken and knowledgeable…But you are a sci-if fan too!😎

[@MailersLanding]

@@shelleyhender8537 - Squeeeee! Sister!

[@brendahere]

Hi Sue. Totally enjoyed your pantry palace. Lots of color, joy, love and the flavor of life.

[@MailersLanding]

Thank you so much! More as it happens

[@jeanniewahine5443]

Wow, just found you and I immediately subscribed and will be binge watching your channel this weekend. What you said about being part of a community and not being pressured to feel you must do everything yourself, resonated with me. I also read the comments section and I am impressed by all of your replies; they are as thoughtful and charming as your video.

[@MailersLanding]

Aww, thank you! The last few years, after moving from the city where we'd lived for over 20 years, really set in place a sea change in me - while I've always been a proponent of mutual aid in general, I'm coming to understand something deeper than I did before about taking care of each other. There's a feeling of being "in tune," if I had to describe it - anyway, we're better as a potluck. Welcome =)

[@marvettejohnson5029]

Same here. Love, love, love her energy and honesty.

[@djssquibbs3295]

Good day! great tour, good new ideas for me. have subscribed. Saludos desde Costa Rica :)

[@MailersLanding]

Welcome!

[@MissPeachCobbler]

Glad I ran across your channel ❤ I love 💕 your energy and enthusiasm.😂 I have daikons growing right now. I used a few leaves in soup. Mine are mostly growing in clay and they're popping up, but the girth doesn't seem to be there. Here's hoping 🤞🏾

[@MailersLanding]

I’m rooting (ha!) for you and your daikons! Welcome aboard ♥️

[@magdalenae.7293]

I heard that garlic from China truns blue. Love Your pantry!

[@MailersLanding]

Turns out so does garlic grown in my back yard lol

[@chelsjb1]

New follower! Love your vibe, such a beautiful pantry. I can't wait to make pickled apples and pub onions....YUMMM!!!!

[@MailersLanding]

I wish you could see the broad grin on my face - the pickled apples and onions are such favorites here =) This is the recipe I used for the onions - www.daringgourmet.com/english-pickled-onions-pub-style/ , and I riffed on this one for the apples (I played with the spices) - www.chatelaine.com/recipes/chatelainekitchen/how-to-make-easy-spiced-apple-rings/ May you enjoy them as much as we do!

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

Just found you, I ❤❤❤ a pantry tour.

[@MailersLanding]

Welcome, new friend!

[@Mindy56743]

I love the way you speak about local, not having to do it all is important. I canned a lot of fruit that I get from local upick farms. I did several bushels of peaches, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries! Last year I did so much jams, jellies and fruit butters. My garden was horrible this year. It was my first year gardening so it was expected. I try to get local, organic is not the most important I like it but I will purchase the seconds and save a lot of money. We did 2 bushels of apples sliced and it was not enough, I make a lot of apples crisp and it goes way too fast. I love canning and will can as much as possible when they are in season. The taste is so much better. Cooking and canning are ways I show my love for family and friends.

[@MailersLanding]

Don't take last season to heart - everyone last year had a bumpy time with the season

[@Mindy56743]

@@MailersLanding last year was my learning the basics. I expected to fail just did not expect to fail that bad but the good part is I now know a lot of what not to do. Plan on cleaning out years of stuff out of the bottom of the chicken coop to dump on the garden. That should help

[@MailersLanding]

Hells, yes! Tho’ I might not love it at the time it’s happening, hindsight has been an invaluable teacher for me. (And I’ll stop planting corn in the shade this year ~.o)

[@Mindy56743]

@@MailersLanding I did not plant corn. My biggest problem was watering and the second was the lack of nutrients in the soil. This year will be putting in a better watering system and getting the stuff off the floor of the chicken coop. It has been at least 10 years since it was cleaned out and we are planning on taking the tiller inside the coop.

[@carolyn3543]

I tried tomatillos this year for the first time, ugh.....not for me, more you you! There are only two of us, so we use pint or half pint jars for canning green beans, chicken, carrots, applesauce, etc. I use qt and half gallons for dry canning of beans, rice, pasta, dried corn and other grains. I love your variety! I have squash and apples to process somehow yet. I can't wait to follow along!

[@MailersLanding]

Hahaha - I'll take care of those tomatillos so you don't have to worry about them ~.o Those pint and a halfs have absolutely made my season - so much less waste! I'm really looking forward to doing chicken in them sometime soon (I had to inch up to putting up meat, but finally feel confident enough to try it). Ooo! How do you like to put your squash up?

[@JS-ls5pw]

I'd love to get some of your recipes. Please do videos of making the more unusual recipes!!!

[@MailersLanding]

You got it! Wintertime is for cooking - more on the way soon

[@jeanniewright2554]

Lovely pantry!

[@MailersLanding]

Thank you ♥️

[@teedub1990]

Your take on the social contract we have with our community and neighbors really resonated with me. So often lately I've been inundated with the exact opposite, that is you are on your own and don't bother me. I also can in small batches since it's just me and the small amount I was able to grow this year. I feel like I have abundance with my half a dozen cans of pizza sauce I made from my own tomatoes. Everything else I fermented since the amount I had was too small to justify a batch of canning.

[@MailersLanding]

I celebrate your abundance! Imho, there's nothing in the world quite as nice as a pizza with garden tomatoes baked in

[@notbextley6997]

Delightful ❤

[@MailersLanding]

Welcome ♥️

[@lmarie9902]

Food preservation doesn't mean you are preparing for the end of the world lol. I have been preserving food for years simply because I like to know exactly what is in my kids food. Now we hear words like e coli, listeria, and salmonella etc..... My kids can just eat my hard work and I know they are safe! plus I can make things to our taste and not just what is available. Not prepping for the end, just to feed my kids for the year lol. Plus I enjoy it and they like to eat it! My grown kids even grocery shop at my house and I love it! I get to see them even though they have busy lives. When they went to collage I made small jars of food and their roommates would steal them. Dont think your kids would not like home canned foods. All those kids begged for certain things their moms didnt know how to make for them. Every time I visited the university I got a list with a oh please, I loved your chili or whatever lol

[@MailersLanding]

I love everything about this

[@crazygrandmaweaz8942]

Just found you and love the small batch canning. I love experimenting with different flavors too. It's just me here in the house but everyone else shops my pantry too.

[@MailersLanding]

Is it not the most wonderful thing to play around & make it like YOU like it? Welcome! Glad to meet you

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

New subscriber .. Love your philosophy!! Community based lifestyle. Ps. Enjoyed the pantry tour.

[@MailersLanding]

Welcome - nice to meet you! Looking forward to checking out your channel too

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

@@MailersLanding I haven't posted any videos yet. I'm currently in a holding pattern with a farmhouse renovation .. I work too many hours off the homestead to make progress (paying as I go).

[@MailersLanding]

@@fourdayhomestead2839 - when you get there, I shall watch avidly =) May the universe bring you the time you desire, and the farmhouse of your dreams.

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

Will definitely be following you on Instagram when my March sabbatical is over.😊

[@MailersLanding]

Oh, YaY! I’ll look for you there too!

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Love your pantry! I've never heard of putting tumeric in pickles, but it sounds delish! Bread & Butter pickles always make me think of my beloved gma. I've never tried canning, only do 'patio' gardening, and that's on the struggle bus thanks to pests. It's on my goals list, though!

[@MailersLanding]

Here's to patio farming! I remember doing all my growing on the fire escape - it's an intimate thing, and I treasure those summers

[@jakestoqueplanejado]

Primeiro vídeo que vejo e já me inscrevi agora. Beijo do Brasil 🇧🇷 🎀😎👍

[@MailersLanding]

♥️! Welcome

[@TruthAndLight4995]

You have some unique jars that I’ve not seen in stores before. Where did you get those cute jam jars?

[@MailersLanding]

Those Kilner jars are freaking darling! I picked up a few 3-packs of the fruit shaped pints at the farm store by us (Hardwick Farmers Coop in Hardwick, MA), but I’ve also seen random cute jars now & then at Klem’s =) May your jar hunt be fruitful!

[@willhurd8415]

I can’t wait to do mushrooms!

[@MailersLanding]

Mushrooms were super satisfying, since I use so many in cooking - I boiled them, and then used that umami liquid in lieu of kettle water. The flavor is fantastic!

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Mmm ginger pears

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Yes communities plural & friends

[@MailersLanding]

Seriously - I'm sure I'm richer for the communities in which I'm involved. ::hugs::

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Mmm pickles

[@kam2162]

I just found you. I am wondering if you would be willing to share your bread & butter pickle recipe with the Thai chilis? I have purchased some like that in the past for holidays, but they are so expensive. Now to continue watching this vid.

[@MailersLanding]

Hello =) I absolutely riffed on this recipe - www.emerils.com/127175/emerils-homemade-sweet-and-spicy-pickles - I changed out the cayennes for chilies, and added extra whole garlic into each jar. Some years I replace the mustard seed with a whole anise per jar. One year I replaced the sliced onions with reeeeeally small pearl onions. It's got a really forgiving brine that allows for experiment. Enjoy!

[@kam2162]

@@MailersLanding Thank you!!

[@MailersLanding]

@@kam2162 - you are very welcome =)

[@shelleyhender8537]

Oh my ~ You had me at…”They taste like Sriracha”! As someone who eats copious amounts of Sriracha…it would be delightful to find a “pickle” version of fermented addiction! I’m sure that having a bit of a crunch and actual vegetables with all that flavorful goodness would be a nice treat and a healthy means by which to incorporate more healthy, fermented veggies into my diet - REGULARLY! They sound delicious like the rest of your selection of preserved eats…YUM!😋 If it’s not too much of an inconvenience, I would be extremely GRATEFUL if you could share your recipe of “SAID” pickles?☺ P.S. You mentioned the cold☃…I’m not far away from such temps in 🇨🇦. It’s beautiful here, warm, many riding their bikes to work, and averaging around 5C (40F)…BUT…we know Winter’s dance - 🌧🌞☃. It varies and cycles, but eventually we adjust and then SORING appears…can’t say NATURE doesn’t have a sense of humour!!🙃

[@MailersLanding]

Welcome, fellow fiery food eater! The pickles were a riff on this recipe: www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2007/10/07/east-west-fusion-kimchi-style-cucumber-pickles/ - mostly I followed the brine and upped the garlic a touch =) Let me know if you try them out & what you think!

[@shelleyhender8537]

@@MailersLanding Oh my - you are so kind to share the recipe…with your added “tweaks”! Brilliant! Thank you so much ~ you are a blessing in many ways! May you and your Love Ones have a JOYFUL, FESTIVE, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY, HAPPY, NEW YEAR!!🎄☃🎄

[@MailersLanding]

@@shelleyhender8537 - any time, you

[@momomily9229]

Those jars! Where do you get them from? The ones with beets.

[@MailersLanding]

I totally tripped over them in the farm store last year =) They're Ball jars, and I think the name may be as simple as 'spiral pint jars.' May your hunt be fruitful!

[@thorn9862]

I think I need the recipe for the onions.

[@MailersLanding]

I can hook you up with that! www.daringgourmet.com/english-pickled-onions-pub-style/ Let me know how you like them =)

[@thorn9862]

Thank you for the link🌝

[@MailersLanding]

@@thorn9862 - any time =)

[@rwbgill]

Love the pantry tour. Love your small batch ethos.

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Mmmmbeeeeets

[@MailersLanding]

My faves!

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Pickled AAAAPPPLES WHAT

[@MailersLanding]

These are AMAZING. Karen, next time you come out, I'll make sure to have some to taste

[@willhurd8415]

Where did you get your pint and a half jars?

[@MailersLanding]

I got lucky & found them at the farm store on the same day my son found some at the grocery - we may have overpurchased >.>

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Maple syrup

[@karengarrabrant6068]

*mapling

[@karengarrabrant6068]

Making again ready, what

[@MailersLanding]

March-ish ~.o