Tomatoes and Applesauce

Yesterday I brought out this old friend. I haven't used my pressure canner for years. Luckily, I still had the instruction manual, LOL! Still works like a dream. We bought this in 1984, four years after we were married. In those days, we used it a lot every summer for canning lots of vegetables from our garden.

When I first saw this photo, I thought I had done something to my camera to change to black and white. But if you look closely, you can see the red light on the cooktop.)

I canned twelve quarts of tomatoes. 

Next I made applesauce. I filled this pot full to the top of washed and quartered apples. Here they have cooked down and are just simmering to soften the fruit.

This is my applesauce-maker. Sort of Jules Verne looking. This is a Victorio Strainer that used to belong to my mother. It has been around for many years. She gave it to me when she quit canning. Cooked fruit goes in the top, turn the crank and press the fruit down with the wooden plunger. The applesauce comes out into the bowl while the peels, stems and seeds go out the side. Easy-peasy. 

(Everyone should have a sprouting onion sitting on the counter. It adds character to your kitchen.)

I made 15 pints of applesauce. Isn't it pretty? Not bad for a day's work.