EAT

Appetizers

I’m lucky. I learned to embrace home cooking at the hands of an excellent cook – my mom. Not everyone has that kind of knowledge to fall back on, though.

If you’re aiming to live a more self-reliant lifestyle, my vote for the number one place to start is the kitchen.

Instead of counting on Campbell’s, learn to make your own soup. Instead of falling back on prepackaged spreads, learn to make your own.

How to Make Tepache from Pineapple Skins

bubbles and pineapple pieces visible in a glass fermentation jar

Tepache is a breeze to make at home and it’s a delicious and refreshing beverage. Plus? It uses the part of the pineapple that most people throw away!

Fermented Sweet Potatoes with Fresh Ginger

glass jar from above filled with shredded fermented purple sweet potatoes

Have you ever thought about fermenting sweet potatoes as a way to preserve them? Use this ferment as an addition to a potato salad or to top a burger.

Sweet and Savory Pineapple Jalapeño Jam Recipe

3 jars of pineapple jalapeno jam from above

This pineapple jalapeño jam recipe with jalapeños is sweet and savory. Serve this jam as a topping for fish or chicken, or paired with cream cheese on crackers.

Easy Pickled Green Beans for the Pantry

These pickled green beans are a great way to preserve a summer harvest for the winter pantry. They’re crisp, delicious, and perfect for snacking (or Bloody Marys).

Easy Homemade Grape Jelly Recipe for Canning or Freezing

Even if you don’t have ripe grapes on hand, you can whip up a batch of jelly. This grape jelly recipe can be made even in the winter with this little trick.

Canning Recipes to Preserve the Summertime Garden Abundance

Give some of these canning recipes a try to preserve your summertime abundance. They’re a great way to utilize local crops to stock your real food pantry.

Moist and Delicious Chocolate Zucchini Bread

chocolate zucchini bread on white cutting board

This chocolate zucchini bread – more like chocolate zucchini CAKE — is an absolute treat! Nobody will ever guess that garden fresh zucchini is the secret ingredient.

Easy Pumpkin Banana Muffins for Snacking or Lunch

These delicious easy to make pumpkin banana muffins are a great grab-n-go breakfast, perfect for celebrating Fall and pumpkin spice season in a healthy way!

Dilly Beans — Fresh From the Garden Goodness!

jar of pickled green beans on a white background

Preserve your fresh produce — make these yummy refrigerator dilly beans. They’re easy to make, and these dilly green beans don’t require a water bath.