Is it that time already?😱

I know exactly what you mean 🤣🎄

I used to have several relatives/friends save hars for me. My elderly sister in law (in her 80s at the time) complained one day that she always gave me big empty jars but got small full jars back....... As if I noticed the size of jars that I was given by a particular person. My only rule is that they don't go into the cupboard until they've been properly cleaned and the labels totally removed. I also love the sticky labels and chalk pens I bought in one of the pound type shops. A quick spray of hairspray from a practically antique can in the bathroom cabinet stops the writing smudging!

I have a box in the cupboard under the stairs for jars. I collect them all year round. When I give away jam it is a rule that the jar is returned.

I monitor which marmalade DH buys, some brands have more keepable jars than others.

My poor sight means that I don’t make chutney or mincemeat anymore but I find myself still saving the jars incase they’ll come in useful. Barmy really.

I save any useful-looking jars to make grapefruit and ginger marmalade

I have just made marmade and will be making rhubarb chutney and green bean chutney.
Out walking with DH and dogs and noticed sloe berries appearing in the hedgerow. Time to start collecting little bottles for a Christmas tipple for my friends.

I just buy mine

I like to save a variety of sizes of jars for jams, marmalade, chutney, etc. I always seem to have a little bit leftover which isn't quite enough to fill a bigger jar, so the little ones come in handy. I also like to have some small ones for doing sundried tomatoes.

I am training the congregation to bring empty jars. If they want jam/marmalade they need to provide me with jars…

As if I noticed the size of jars that I was given by a particular person

At least you'll know to give her a bigger jar next time 🍯🫙

I saved a really big one yesterday - it had contained gherkins.
Ideal for mincemeat! Of which we use loads, dh in particular being a 🐷 for mince pies.

When I saw the title I thought it was going to be preparations for 'C'.

This has been a year for jam making for me. I'm going to make red pepper and chilli jam later on in September and I'll make mincemeat for the first time. Mum used to make it but she's no longer able.

If anyone needs a source ofbig, big glass jars ( without going to the expense of 'Kilner' ) - find their nearest POLISH food store and buy something from there, that's in a big jar. Lots of choice of footstuffs that are East European origin.

I’m with you Sawsage2 🤣🤣🤣

I've nearly come to the end of last year's green tomato chutney. The way our tomatoes are not ripening or even really growing this year I imagine I'll be making lots this September.

knspol

When I saw the title I thought it was going to be preparations for 'C'.

Well, it was in a way, since I mentioned C-word mincemeat.

I hate those square jars, throw 'em all out into the recycling.

mabon1

I hate those square jars, throw 'em all out into the recycling.

They’re no good for jam or chutney though, don’t they all have plastic lids? AFAIK only metal ones will do.

when I was young I used to go out with my dad to gather sloes, he made sloe gin .

I have made red currant juice and rhubarb juice, but there is very little fruit this year, as it has rained almost constantly since January.

Just discussed Christmas puddings, the making thereof with DD and bought raisins and orange peel and green peel.

So yes, it is that time already.

Witzend

mabon1

I hate those square jars, throw 'em all out into the recycling.

They’re no good for jam or chutney though, don’t they all have plastic lids? AFAIK only metal ones will do.

I've got a number of square jars and they all have metal lids.

pably15

when I was young I used to go out with my dad to gather sloes, he made sloe gin .

My Oxfordshire allotment had a hedge of blackthorn all around the site it was on so I made a lot of sloe gin while we were there.

I also made some sloe and rowan wine. DD3, aged about 3, asked what was in the must bucket. I told her the black berries were called sloes and she quickly said: "and the red ones are fast". So we labelled it fast and slow wine.

Family and friends are really good at returning empty jars and beer bottles, but at this time of year it’s bottles for wine and cordials that are in short supply. I’ve used all my clear glass bottles for elderflower cordial and the redcurrant wine I’m currently making will use up the last of my wine bottles. Our kitchen smells like a brewery today with redcurrant wine and a very hoppy smelling beer on the go.