I think I spent all day today processing fresh veggies. I now have a greater appreciation for what my mom and grandmom did, with all that work associated with freezing (and canning) foods. I haven’t done much canning. Mostly freezing, after blanching or preparing the veggies from the CSA and farmer’s markets.
Roasted Beets
The beets were dry roasted, to put in salads this week. Besides the beets, I had jalapenos in the oven. These are destined to become the base for chili oil, once they age in the fridge.
Roasted Jalapenos
I also made ajvar, using eggplant and red peppers.
Add a little roasted garlic, and make this wonderful spread.
Roasted Garlic
The finished product. So flavorful. Not that hard to make. Roast eggplant and peppers. When done, throw a head of garlic cloves in the oven, after turning it off. Puree all of it in the blender. Add olive oil, salt, pepper and balsamic to make it taste the way you want it.
Ajvar
I finished all this by blanching and freezing the roma tomatoes from the CSA. These were peeled and bagged, after blanching, and will be added to crock pot dinners this winter.
Tomorrow, if I am ambitious, the peaches will be blanched, peeled and frozen, to use in vinaigrettes and sauces all winter.
I made a mess of the kitchen, using the blender and the food processor, both of them twice. I swear, I spend all my time doing dishes. Oh, I forgot, I did process two peaches, with yogurt, peach nectar and honey, to make peach pops.
Peach yogurt pops
What did you do this weekend?
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AnnieRie Unplugged 
I never heard of ajvar, had to “google” that. Sounds delicious.
My blanching & freezing was last weekend. Today I perfected a new stuffed pepper recipe & did dog training stuff. Then will be cleaning for house guests coming next week. I’d much rather be doing what you did today.
The frozen peach pops look amazing! You will really enjoy those! Many of us will be eating well this winter. Think how good all of this will taste if the predictions for lots of snow this winter come true!
All looks wonderful. I need to try the roasted jalepenos/chili oil because we have a ton growing in the vegetable patch. Otherwise, I think we’ll be making more pesto…and getting ready for school. I am trying to make sure the teens take the produce for snacks! But Marcia is right — if the snow predictions come true, you will be sitting pretty!
oh man! So much yummy food…and some great ideas 🙂
Come and link up this link to the party when you get a chance…http://inherchucks.com/2012/08/30/whats-in-the-box-41/. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Oops. Add making some chicken jerky for dog training rewards in my new dehydrator. Love the instructions – will need to be in there from 3-12 hrs 🙂
I am amazed. The freezer was empty two months ago. I now have at least five cubic feet of it filled. Only two left.
Our next door neighbor has agreed to give us one deer in exchange for processing costs this winter. My upstairs freezer has just enough room for the venison. I will be buying four or five chickens at the end of the season at the markets, from one of the local farmers.
With the meat, fruit and veggies taken care of, all I have left is seafood and grains. Those I will be buying. Oh, and cabbages and potatoes.
I love the idea of peach pops!! And every time I freeze or can something, I am amazed at how tired I am (and how many dishes I create). It’s a ton of work!