Preserving the Harvest
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State Fair
 
Celebrating the Harvest With Mrs. Wages

It's Blue Ribbon Time

The summer harvest is underway and along with the flurry of canning in our kitchens, it’s blue ribbon time.   Every year Mrs. Wages has the privilege of sponsoring canning competitions at the Illinois State Fair.

To spread the state fair spirit, we asked the 2012 Illinois State Fair winners to share their winning canning recipes and their secret tips for tasty canning.

Along with those recipes, we know it’s harvest time and the gardener’s hard work and patience is paying off.  Master Canner and extension veteran Shirley Camp shares her thoughts on the drought and end-of-year canning tips, especially with less-than-perfect produce.

Food in Jars’ blogger Marisa McClellan shares unique recipes for Zucchini, while our pie blogger, Ashley English serves up Island Apple and Pear Spice and Peach Streusel Pie creations.

From all of us at Mrs. Wages, enjoy the glories of the harvest and may you win your family’s hearts with your own blue-ribbon creations…


State Fair Blue Ribbon Recipes

Best of Show Apricot – Pineapple Jam

recipeThis winning recipe beat all the jams and jellies for its unique taste. Recipe.

Best of Show Canned Sweet Corn

recipeThe secret to canning corn is its freshness from farm to canner.  Corn Casserole Recipe.

Best of Show BBQ Sauce

recipePureed raisins and other tasty spices make this a division winner over all sauces, salsas and relishes. Recipe.

Mrs. Wages Blue Ribbon Bread & Butter Pickle Winner

recipeA family favorite filled with spices and Mrs. Wages® Canning Salt took home the blue ribbon for these tasty pickles. Recipe.

Mrs. Wages Red Ribbon Pickles

recipeThe winner of this 2nd place finisher says Mrs. Wages makes it so easy to pickle, she won’t make them from scratch again. Recipe.

Mrs. Wages White Ribbon Pickle Winner

recipeThis first time State Fair entrant says Mrs. Wages makes him a winner both at home and with the judges.  Recipe.

Food in Jars Recipes

recipeGetting Zany with these Zucchini recipes.

Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles
Garlic Dill Zucchini Pickles
Zucchini Butter

 

Blue Ribbon Pie Ideas

recipeSpiced apples and pears and another peach streusel creation ensure these pies will win the hearts of your family and friends.

Island Spice Apple & Pear Pie
Peachy, Creamy Streusel Pie

 

State Fair Favorites

recipeCheck out these blue ribbon winners from past Iowa and Illinois State Fairs.

Kosher Dill Pickles
Basil Jelly Recipe
Whole Pickled Beets
Blue Ribbon Peaches


Ask Shirley

Ask Shirley: Canning in a Drought

Veteran Master Canner and retired university extension educator Shirley Camp shares her tips on best practices for canning less-than-perfect produce.

Four tips for end-of-year canning


Food in Jars

Food in Jars: Zany for Zucchini

Marisa McClellan, Food in Jars,  says harvest time means it’s the season to preserve an old-time favorite, Zucchini.  For August, she shares her delicious canning recipes preserved right in her 80-square foot Philadelphia kitchen.

It’s a Zucchini Summer

Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles
Garlic Dill Zucchini Pickles
Zucchini Butter


Ashley English

Small Measure: It’s Time for Blue Ribbon Pie

Harvest time in the Appalachian Mountains also means fair food and canning competitons.  Pie Blogger Ashley English, Small Measure, shares her tips on creating the perfect blue ribbon pie right at home.

It’s all about unique and fresh pie ingredients and a crunchy texture

Island Spice Apple & Pear Pie
Peachy, Creamy Streusel Pie

 


Celebrate the Harvest with Mrs. Wages:

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Throughout the growing season, Mrs. Wages invites you to celebrate the harvest. We feature canning ideas and tips, unique recipes, gardening news, and invite you to share your own ideas and memories along with us. To receive the newsletter right in your inbox, sign up here.

Remember, if you have pictures you want to share, join our Facebook Group follow us on Twitter @MrsWages.

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Featured Product

Mrs. Wages® Spiced Peaches Fruit Mix

Mrs. Wages® Spiced Peaches Fruit Mix

Enhance your fresh picked peaches with our All Natural Spiced Peaches fruit mix.

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