Comments on: Food Storage Baby Steps

By: Lois

Lois — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:28:07 +0000

Thank you another great post, I always appreciate examining what you have got to point out whether or not I would not constantly agree with the fact. It’s not necessarily the exact same this is Asia. Asians maybe notice somewhat otherwise. I always prefer to hunt for an Oriental girl’s perspective.

By: NM

NM — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:26:38 +0000

Grace,
I think the USDA is iffy on canning eggplant, but it’s hard to find information on the subject. I tried, last summer. However, here’s a great canning resource in general:
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/index.html
NM

By: grace

grace — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:37:12 +0000

michelle
The pickled eggplant is GREAT!!!! thank you for this…I will definately try it. Perfect. I like that it doesn’t require processing after it’s in the jars.
grace NM

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:22:43 +0000

Seedy, yes and no. I don’t think that every supply chain is going to break down completely in a short time, but even if it did, if it happens in the winter, you’ll be relying on stored food. If it comes with war on your soil, or massive flooding, drought or other natural disasters, you’ll be relying on stored food. If you get sick or injured and can’t grow, you’ll be relying on stored food.

I think the “either/or” issue of food storage and gardening is false -people have always put by surpluses for the lean years. They go together. The thai noodles are treat – if they go away, they go away, but I don’t see any reason not to enjoy them now – and since having food storage doesn’t just mean having it, but eating out of it, that’s just another reason.

I also don’t necessarily think that indigenous diets are what we’re going to eat. Those hoping to rely on buffalo on the plains, or chestnut mast in the northeast will have some difficulty. There are areas of the US well adapted to raising wheat and rice. I do think (and have written a great deal about it) that we will be eating much more localized diets – potatoes and milk near the coast, where it is cold and the land is suited to grazing, corn and beans in the south, rice along the southern coast and gulf… but it isn’t quite the same as the diets of native peoples.

Sharon

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:51:14 +0000

# seedy566

You are absolutely right. But having the food stored to get to year 2 A.C. (after collapse) may mean the difference between living and starving. I think Sharon tries not to tread too far into the Doomer waters in general on here…but it doesn’t take much to imagine a scenario where things break down quickly and permanently. What system does remain will most likely be built around subsistence food that is better grow on large farms (wheat and corn maybe?) and supplementary vegetables grown more locally. If we can make it to something like what India has today and find a way to feed the nation, that would be awesome. So, having the skills to cook from staples and make do, something you learn from active food storage principles, may be another good thing to take with you into whatever lies down the road.

In the end, none of us know what’s coming. All we can be sure of is that it doesn’t look exactly like what’s been.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:19:20 +0000

Hi Grace and other lovers of eggplant

I found this
http://www.grouprecipes.com/17870/pickled-eggplant-preserving.html

recipe for preserved pickled eggplant haven’t tried it myself but the flavour combo sounds interesting….

And this is my husband’s recipe (not sure how well they’d store though as they always get gobbled down pronto at our place!)
slice thinly, dip in egg, then in breadcrumbs, then pan fry in olive oil.
If there are some left over they are yummy cold in a sandwich!!

Enjoy
Michelle

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:09:40 +0000

Hi Sharon
Ok probably won’t be going out and getting a soymilk maker as I can buy tofu very cheaply at the local supermarket, will definitely be trying out the Thai noodle recipe though – i’ve just planted a stand of edible bamboo and my chinese broccoli is delish at the moment (oh i’m in Australia too!!:))
Thanks
Michelle

By: seedy566

seedy566 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:44:38 +0000

Hello Sharon, thanks for this but I see a problem. It will work for a family to secure a year’s worth of food on one condition: that when the food is gone, there are still stores to buy the next year’s supply from. If I am reading the net correctly it looks as though the supply chains are breaking down permanently. So a diet that is based on wheat and rice and grains and oils is not sensible. Expecting the ingredients for Thai tofu to reappear in a couple of years is not sensible either. I ask, what did the first nations people and the first european settlers in your part of the country actually eat? What can you and your neighbours grow? That is your diet from now on. If the stored wheat and grains and oils and sugars allow you to eat modestly while you learn how to actually feed yourselves where you are, than that is a bonus. Otherwise, when the cupboard is bare, it is bare.

By: Lisa Z

Lisa Z — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:58:17 +0000

Elizabeth, United Natural Foods sells to buying clubs. I’m in one, but I don’t run it so I’m not sure what the minimum order is. The price you pay depends on the size of your orders, though. The more people in the club and higher your order, the more discount you get. I don’t know how I’d compare their prices, but they’re reasonable for our area (Minnesota).

By: Matriarchy

Matriarchy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:50:47 +0000

I followed along this course the last time, but it’s an excellent refresher and checker-upper for my pantry. I’ve been wanting to expand from 3 months of storage to 6, so maybe I will try to swing some of that as I read along.