Diving into the Freezer, Gathering and Preserving

It is a new month, the first month of the "ber" months when traditionally although not always temperatures tend to be a little cooler and on rare occasions we end up experiencing Indian Summers.  By all accounts that is a possibility this year.

Last month I determined that we would start to eat the freezer down.  We had made tentative steps to do that last month, but this month even more of a concerted effort is to be made.  I have a lot of fruit in the freezer in any event, which will get used up in the next few weeks as there is quite a bit of preserving to be going on also in the background.  Part of the reason for doing this is that some of the items have been in there a little while.  They need eating down so that I can defrost the freezer and then replenish the freezer predominantly with meat, although with a little veg in order to face the Winter months and also stock up for Christmas.  

It is for me very much that time of year in any event time to gather, harvest, preserve and Squirrel and put down items for food security during the winter months and to insulate my household to some extent when pennies are tight.  Also time to start gathering items for Christmas so that you do not end up with one massive bill in December and also end up paying a premium.  It is better to gather gradually where you can.

Yesterday for instance I was looking what was available at my local shop as sometimes you get surprises. I was only browsing, but I am already noticing that sell by dates are on some items into March 2026.  I am talking about things like Kit Kats and other biscuits here.  I am therefore thinking of buying in a few packets now in readiness for Christmas and before prices go up again. It maybe only a packet here or there, but that soon builds up. As I am planning on sorting out the under-stair cupboard and as I have a large poly tub that I store Christmas items in, I may well start gathering items for Christmas then so that there is a designated home and the maximum amount of food storage has been sorted out. I will also start gathering cake making ingredients, particularly dried fruit, as well as cake decorating items, cooking chocolate a bit at a time as well.

If you can, chutneys should really be made now to allow them sometime to mature.  Sometimes that cannot be done and you have to do them when you can.  It is what it is, but if things that can be done are got out of the way with, that means you have to worry less about what you do have to do.  

I have already also been looking at buying in Pickling Onions and Shallots and more vinegar.  Have you seen the price of the jars of these in the shops presently?  Astronomical and not very big jars either.

Today in an effort to regain control on the food front, we have dragged out of the Freezer 1kg of Stewing Beef, 1kg of Minced Beef, a pack of four sausages, and a tray of Barbecued ribs which will give eating for the next couple of days or so.  The ribs are for G.  The sausages will be used in either a Toad in the Hole or breakfast for G; One pack of Mince will be used for Cottage Pie, the other for Bolognese and the Stewing meat will be used for Beef Bourguignon.  Therefore an outline Menu for the next couple of days or so is in place.  Cottage Pie will provide a couple of meals for two;  Beef Bolognese will also provide for a couple of meals especially if used in a Lasagna which is what I am planning. Beef Bourguignon will provide at least two meals for two, and any spare can be frozen.  I therefore think we are going to be well catered for on the food front, for the best part of this week.

The first tranche of Pickled Beetroot has been completed.  Some is growing in the garden and more to be bought in as this is something that we do use a lot of. I have Chioggia, Yellow and Purple Beetroot growing in the garden.

Plum Sauce is also under-way but more on that in another post. I may well do a Preserving update later on in the week to cover what I have been up to and what has been achieved.  There is a lot I need to get done by the end of the week as I will be going shopping again shortly and I want what I do have to hand all used up before buying in fresh supplies.  I also need to overhaul the Fridge before the weekend as well. I have plans to stock up again with preserved mushrooms which are kept in the top of my fridge so that G gets his mushroom fix even when pennies are tight.  I have found the video tutorial that I used to make mine, with the only difference being that I used lard rather than Duck fat or Goose Fat and they taste good and kept for over 9 months in the fridge.  I am therefore keen to repeat the experience.  More on that later on also.

G is fishing tomorrow so I may be able to get on a bit better tomorrow and he is also fishing on Thursday.  I have plans to be working in any event.

Right am off to get tea ready for tonight.  We have Pizza just for tonight.

Hope everyone is keeping well.

Take care.

Pattypan

x