Preserving Summer produce for the Fall/Winter

I love summer. I think it's my favorite season because of the produce - stone fruit, strawberries, sweet red onions, watermelon radishes, fresh peas, I can go on and on. Yum! Another bonus is all this fresh produce costs less this time of year. I cook a lot and freeze as much as my freezers can hold so I have some of these delights come fall/winter when the days are shorter and colder.

Magic Mineral Broth and Chicken Stock in particular I make in large batches to freeze during the summer. The links I've included will take you to Rebecca Katz recipes - I'm a huge fan of her healthy and flavorful recipes including soup stocks. I use these in crock pot stews and vegetable dishes. You get the flavor boost without needing to add flavor by using butter or cream. Yes, I'm guilty of using fat to add flavor. Julia Child I'm not - and she sure knew how to cook!

Recently, I was visiting me sister in Temecula and she also mentioned how she likes to cook and freeze during the summer, but has had trouble with glass jars cracking in the freezer. I also used to have this same problem - which is terrible to have to toss a jar of deliciousness in the trash.

Store the jars overnight in your refrigerator to ensure they have completely cooled. Also make sure you have at least a half inch of space from the lid and the liquid/food you're freezing. Then place the glass jars in the freezer. This will eliminate the jars from cracking. At least it has been foolproof for me.

Bon Appetite!