More Canning and pumkini?

This is our un-named squash that came from our zucchini plant after it mixed with the pumpkin plant. This is a common occurrence when squash plants cross. We planted them across the garden from each other, but this didn't keep them apart once they started growing. We don't mind though, it is much like zucchini in taste and texture, maybe even a little tastier! I had several of these football size squash and so I made some into dill relish. It has been a huge hit!

Dill relish. I am more than happy to share the recipe, I had a hard time finding one and we don't like sweet relish.

Pickled jalapenos

Lately, I have been putting one chile pepper in every jar of dill pickles. The results have been amazing!

The Mile High Flea Market

I have found a new favorite place here in Denver. I want to take you all there. The Denver flea market is enormous and exciting. It almost feels like you are in another country. The outdoor booths have anything you might be looking for; produce, knives, hats, used garage sale items, new tires, musical instruments, video games, rugs, furniture, carpet, sunblock (just in case you forget yours like we did), antiques, ect, ect. Then there is the food. Smells of fresh roasting chilies and turkey drumsticks are enough to make your stomach growl. The fancy baker sells amazing breads and yummy treats. The chocolate macaroon is to die for, truly. There is also a carnival area with kiddie rides and lots and lots of places to spend your money.

Last spring we took Kaleb and Lanise. It was the first time we had been there in 10-12 years. I must say it was a little overwhelming. There is just so much, and so many good deals. I got a 5 pound basket of tomatoes for 3 dollars, I was excited to get such a bargain. An hour later I found a man selling 20 pounds of tomatoes for 5 dollars!!

A few weeks ago we went again with Randy and Cheri. We got there about 10:30 that morning and left about 3:30. We didn't have time to see it all!! I did scope out some places to come back to though. The tomato man was still there with 5 dollar tomatoes, and we found some very nice American made knives to think about. I found a full set of strings for my violin and we both bought hats, mine is a big floppy one. I love it! I had been looking for one all summer and the price range was $12-$24, so needless to say I was very excited about the deal!

This past Saturday Dale and I went by ourselves. We quickly scoped out our favorite places and picked up these deals:

2-20 lb boxes of tomatoes 7$ each
8lbs strawberries 5$
15 lbs plums 8$
12 giant mangoes 10$
3 piece knife set 14$
18 jalapenos 1$

The tomato man had gone up in price, but the quality was better. I had been pricing the same box of tomatoes at local farm stands (we have them everywhere, even more than Starbucks is in the northwest!) and they were 18$ per box there, so we still got a good deal. It also cost us 3$ each to get into the flea market, but kids under 12 are free for those of you who are interested!

Since Saturday we have been making plans for our next trip. Dale needs a new watch, we still want more produce, and Andy can wheel and deal with the video game man. I can't wait to take each and everyone of you there and I still haven't made it all the way through!

Canning

Here's what I've been up to.

I have canned/put up:

3 jars of green beans
9 bags of frozen green beans

3 pints pinto beans

9 quarts and 2 pints of pickles

30 pints and 8 quarts of diced tomatoes
4 quarts of salsa
8 bags frozen zucchini-enough for 16 loaves of bread!
9 bags frozen peaches
12 frozen mangoes, diced
5 quarts frozen plums
8 lbs frozen strawberries
29 jars of peaches
11 jars of peach jam
30 bags frozen green chilies
37 quarts of frozen Olathe sweet corn
13 half pints of dill relish (so yummy)
3 half pints and 3 quarter pints of pickled jalapenos
3 dehydrator trays of dried tomatoes
2 trays of dried bananas

The green beans, zucchini, pickles, and some of the tomatoes came out of our garden and it is still going strong. In fact our zucchini and pumpkin crossed each others path and now I have several huge squash that I don't know what I'm going to do with. They are yummy, but we can only eat so much of it. Hmm... maybe I'll try to can some! In the past I have frozen a few berries and maybe made some jam, but that was pretty much the extent of my efforts. I am really enjoying all the canning this year and I'm excited to get some more things put up, like chili and soup! I will continue to update this list through the canning season for my own journal.