5 Festive Ways to Use Your Canning Recipes over Memorial Weekend

Every year Americans take time out of their busy lives on the last Monday in May to mourn the loss of our fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. Many will also use this weekend to enjoy the outdoors as the weather begins to warm up in northern states. For many of us, it is the perfect time for grilling and cooking food outdoors and enjoying evening bon fires with friends and family.

5 Festive Canning Recipes to Enjoy Memorial Weekend

Whether entertaining for a small or large group, incorporating your home canned goods into your plans is easy and rewarding. I have put together a fun, festive list of my favorite canning recipes to enjoy serving this Memorial weekend.

Pickled Everything!

One of all-time favorites is my home canned Pickled Asparagus recipe! It is so much fun popping open a jar during Memorial weekend and watch my family and friends go crazy grabbing several stalks to crunch on! Because asparagus is in abundance this time of year, preserving a fresh batch a couple weeks in advance make Memorial weekend the perfect opportunity to showcase your craft!

But don’t forget some of the other fun pickled veggies like Pickled Brussels Sprouts, Dilled Baby Carrots and my other personal favorite, Pickled Garlic Cloves. The garlic cloves are pickled in Pino Grigio wine and are so delicious you can simply pop them in your mouth and eat them like candy! Need inspiration for some other fun pickled canning recipes? Click here for a variety of fun crispy treats you may preserve and enjoy all summer long!

These crisp treats are the perfect snack to accompany an ice-cold beer or serve alongside a freshly grilled hamburger. We like ours a bit hot and spicy by adding extra red pepper flakes, so you will often see a gorgeous variety plunked inside a Bloody Mary.

Home Canned Pie Fillings

Ever hear of a hoagie pie? No? Well do I have something fun in-store for you!

Also known as a Campfire Pie, a Hoagie Pie, is the perfect way to enjoy your home canned pie fillings outdoors this Memorial weekend. Kids especially love them! And yes, us big kids too.

Start by heading over to your favorite camping supply store or your local Walmart, Home Depot or Target and purchase a cast iron campfire sandwich maker. Next, grab a few jars of your favorite pie filling such as tart cherry, strawberry rhubarb or apple cinnamon. Lastly, be sure to have a loaf of bread and non-stick cooking spray or oil handy.

When everyone is gathered around the campfire,

1. Simply spray or coat the cast iron with the oil or cooking spray.
2. Place a piece of bread on one side of the opened cast iron sandwich maker.
3. Using a spoon, fill one side of bread with 3 tablespoons of pie filling and place the other piece of bread on top.
4. Close and clasp the cast iron sandwich maker shut and roast in the heat of the campfire for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. The goal is to get bread toasted brown and heat the pie filling through.
5. Plop them out onto a plate, cut in half diagonally and serve!

You will be sure to brighten the darkest night with every smile on their face!

Jalapeno Jelly Appetizer

This one is my favorite “go-to” appetizers when entertaining! Super easy, beautiful and fun. The recipe to make and preserve this amazing jelly can be found here.

Here is the quick steps to create and serve Jalapeno Jelly Appetizer:

1. Chill a pint jar of Jalapeno or Pepper Jelly in the refrigerator 3 hours.
2. An hour before ready to serve the appetizer, soften a brick of cream cheese on the countertop inside its packaging.
3. Using a large plate or serving platter, place the brick of cream cheese onto the plate and spoon the jelly atop and around the brick.
4. Serve with Triscuit® or round water crackers.

You’ll be amazed at how fast it gets eaten so have an extra brick and pint on the ready!

Home Canned Pineapple Chunks

Want to add a bit of sunshine to every plate? Set out a chilled quart or two of your home canned pineapple chunks and watch your family’s face light up!

Making a fruit salad as your dish to pass this weekend?
If so, drain a pint of pineapple chunks, add to a variety of other fresh and home canned fruits to a large bowl.
Mix and serve.

Oh – and did you know you may keep your apples from browning by covering them with pineapple juice from the jar? The perfect solution when enjoying apple slices outside on a hot day!

Get my canning recipe for pineapple chunks here and learn easy tips for creating the perfect syrup here.

Home Canned Chicken or Turkey Meat

For some of you, Memorial Weekend kicks of the first of many camping trips. Save room in your cooler by packing several jars of your home canned chicken or turkey meat. It is already cooked through and requires no refrigeration. Simply drain a pint of home canned chicken breasts, place into your skillet and shred. Add taco seasoning, heat through and place inside a flour, or corn, tortilla.

Need a quick camp site breakfast idea?

1. Scramble a couple eggs, set aside.
2. In a skillet, add butter, diced onions, diced green peppers and minced garlic, and sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add drained home canned chicken or turkey to skilled and shred.
4. Season with salt, pepper and any other fresh herbs you like, then add scrambled eggs ad cook through until done, about 7 minutes.
5. Serve inside a flour, or corn, tortilla with a dash or two of hot sauce on the top.

If you happen to also have a quart or two of home canned potatoes, heat those up in a second skillet along with the onions and peppers before adding the meat and eggs and you have yourself a hearty skillet scramble!

Chutney and Relishes

Yes, every BBQ needs its condiments so be sure to grab a half-pint of all your home canned favorites to adorn your picnic table this holiday weekend!

Be sure to include fun things like Tex-Mex Corn Relish and your Rhubarb Apple Chutney, which is amazing on top of a bratwurst.

If you preserved Kiwi Chutney this past winter, be sure to grab a jar on your way out the door. It enhances the flavor of beef and is amazing alongside a steak!

There are so many fun ways to incorporate your home canned goods into your festivities on Memorial weekend. It is also a great opportunity to prepare quick and healthy meals if you reserve this holiday weekend for planting flowers or getting your garden started. After a long day of hard work, popping a Meal in a Jar into a saucepan to heat and eat takes the load off cooking!

Regardless of how you choose to spend your Memorial Day, know that me and my family salute and honor all our fallen veterans and THANK ALL OF YOU for your service and sacrifice.

Many blessings to you and yours this holiday weekend!

XO
Diane, The Canning Diva®
www.canningdiva.com