As the weather starts to get chilly, my thoughts turn to preserving and suddenly I realize I’ve become somewhat of a neurotic squirrel, frantically storing everything possible for the winter season.  While I try a new recipe or two every season, there are a handful of old favourites that I couldn’t possibly do without.

 I’ve blogged about all of them before, but they really are the best of the best (in my humble opinion) for a well stocked pantry and so I give to you, my fall top 5 list:

Canned Peaches: The recipe gives a variety of spice options, but I like them unspiced with just the honey syrup.  I eat them with yogurt, as part of breakfast or for dessert.

Canned Tomatoes: These form the basis of much of my winter cooking: curries, casseroles, tomato-based soups.  Because I use more tomatoes than I care to can, I also freeze some some.

Pesto cubes: Great for a quick weeknight pasta dinner or as the sauce for a pesto pizza.

Pears in apple cider: Like the peaches, they are good with yogurt or on their own.  I also like to throw them into a smoothie with strawberries, milk and nut butter for a quick, healthy breakfast.

Berries (frozen or dehydrated): Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries… I love them all.  I fill my freezer and have also been experimenting with dehydration.  The frozen ones are great for smoothies and fruit crisps.  Dehydrated berries are great in salads.
If you’re new to canning, check out our past posts here and here on the basics.

-Marla