I love autumn time.  Harvest is coming, and the peaches are ripe.  Pears and apples are coming soon.  Grapes are turning purple, and the apricots are begging to be picked.  The bounties of the garden are ours for the taking.  Unfortunately, the season doesn’t last long.  Winter is coming, and with it comes cold and snow.  There will be no more gardening for a while, but the desire for fresh, sweet fruit doesn’t subside as the seasons change.

When preparing dinner, it is so satisfying to survey the pantry shelves and choose a jar of cherries or applesauce to serve the family.  It’s like a little taste of summer when the weather is the coldest.  It not only provides nutrition for the body; it also feeds the soul.  The fresh, vibrant colors and sweetness of the fruit are just perfect for topping off a meal.

It is not difficult to bottle fruit.  In fact, it is the easiest thing to can, and so many people start with that.  It doesn’t require pressuring.  Instead, fruits can generally be processed in a boiling waterbath.  Any large pan with a rack in the bottom will do.  It doesn’t take a lot of fancy equipment.  For those just trying out the process, it’s a great way to start.