National Can-It-Forward Day with Ball and a Giveaway!

The Summer of 2009 was a very good year.  I had just started my fledgling food blog (which is why some of these photos are a little "fuzzy" from my former point-and-shoot camera).  I had finally scratched something off my lengthy Recipe Bucket List.

I taught myself how to can my own jam, and I was hooked.  The first jam I ever made was my husband's very favorite-- Olallieberry Jam.   I bought a comprehensive Ball Jam Kit, read the Ball Blue Book of Preserving and meticulously washed my jars and equipment.  It was easier than I thought it would be, and I was on a roll. That summer, I made all kinds of summer fruit jams-- including a fig jam.

I made my personal favorite-- Apricot-Pineapple Jam.  

 My newest flavor, this year, is this Easy Pineapple Jam.

Then, I started to venture into more savory jams/condiments, like this Peach Chutney.

 I got really brave and made my first Bread & Butter pickles. Love!

Preserving is something that I really enjoy, and I have plenty of future recipes that I want to make. Who doesn't love to receive a jar of homemade jam, pickles or salsa as a gift?   I won't lie-- canning isn't hard to do at all! I can bring home fresh fruit, from the farm, and be filling jars of fresh jam in 90 minutes....yes, start to finish. I almost feel like a pioneer woman, when I stack and organize my different jars of goodies.   Store bought jam? Forget about it!

Ball is sponsoring their  National Can-It Forward Day, on Saturday July 14, 2012.  Set aside some time to learn simple ways to preserve the fresh food you love and share your canning knowledge with friends and family. Whether you watch us on-line, host a home canning party or join us in person, we hope you’ll share your stories. Like us on Facebook then post your Can-It-Forward Day stories and photos on our page and in your status updates. And, join the conversation on Twitter with #CanItForward. No matter how you participate, we want you to enjoy fresh preserving and Can-It-Forward Day.

There will be  live canning demonstrations and recipes featuring home canned foods including Mixed Berry Jam, Kosher Dill Pickles, Pepper Jelly, preserving fresh tomatoes and making and preserving Italian-Style pasta sauce.

Ball is offering one of my readers a change to win a Ball Canning Discovery Kit.  The Ball® Canning Discovery™ Kit provides an easy and affordable way to start canning in just three simple steps. This kit is designed to demystify the home canning process and make fresh preserving accessible, for even the most novice canner. Whether a person has limited kitchen space or looks to preserve a handful of fresh produce from the farmer’s market, the kit offers a beginner’s approach to small-batch canning.

(If you're already a seasoned "canner" you can opt for one case of Ball jars, instead.)

If you'd like to be entered to win, here's how (sorry, but this is for US Residents only):

GIVEAWAY DEADLINE HAS PASSED. A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MY NEXT POST.

Leave a comment and share with me what your favorite recipe is that you like to can. If you've never tried canning, then what would you like to make?

You can earn additional entries by:

• "Liking" the Ball Canning Facebook Fan Page and letting me know.
• "Tweet" this giveaway, and let me know.
• "Like" my Facebook Fan Page (... and thank you)
•  Become a "Follower" on my blog (thank you!)

Entries will close  on Sunday, July 15th at midnight. I will announce the winner within a day or two, after entries close.

Pssssssssssssssst.   I am a self-proclaimed gadgetaholic.  I want  Ball's new Automatic Jam & Jelly Maker.  Too cool!

 Good luck!