A Jarring Problem

I have an unhealthy interest in canning jars.  

I buy them at the grocery store.  I pick them up at the Sally Ann.  I've even been known to get them "Freecycled".  I especially love it when they return to me when I share my homemade treasures with friends.  Colin gets a little flustered by the number of jars and canning rings that are in the shelves, garage and crawl space at the end of winter.  But what Can you do?  (bad pun, I know.)

So I preserve and pickle, jam and jelly (and if you are really lucky, you may even see "brandied").  Except to share the bounty I must give my beloved jars away. I'm torn.

But here is a win-win set of guidelines so that I can feel good about sharing my canned goodies and you can get my canned goodies. The most important thing to do when someone gives you a jar of homemade jam, jelly, pickles or chutney is to enjoy it. Don’t tuck it a cabinet and save it for good.  (It makes them sad.)  Help that product achieve its life's goal and eat it up. Once the jar is empty, put the jar to good use. Make your own batch of jam (and give me a jar), use it for desktop storage or transform it into a drinking glass. However, if you plan to toss it into the recycling bin when it’s done, stop right there. Do not set canning jars out with your other bottles and jugs. You see, Mason jars are made out of extra sturdy so they aren’t actually recyclable, they are reusable. Instead, wash out that jar and take it back to the cook who originally gave it to you filled (with the ring attached, if you still know where it is). This act shows your friend that you enjoyed their hard work, that you respect their resources and that you are a worthy recipient for future batches.

I have another problem, and that's drying and freezing, but that's a whole other story...