Preserving Your Garden's Party in a Jar"

It's the time of year where our gardens are in full swing, but what do you do when you have more produce than you can shake a stick at? Here are some ideas on how to preserve the fruits and vegetables of your labor.

First up, let's talk salsa! Fresh salsa is oh-so-delicious, but what if you could enjoy the tastes of summer all year round? Tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro and lime - it's salsa time! Simply dice everything up and let it mingle in a mason jar with some vinegar, sugar, and a dash of salt and pepper before refrigerating. Voila, homemade salsa at your fingertips anytime of the year.

Next on the list, we have pickling. No, not the kind you see at the county fair with jars of pig's feet and other unmentionables. We're talking pickling cucumbers, okra, carrots - you name it, you can pickle it. Warm up your water bath canner, toss in your veggies with a few spices, and let the acidic vinegar do its preserving magic. Before you know it, you'll have pickled perfection that'll last through the darkest days of winter.

Have a hankering for some soup? Why not make yourself a hearty winter soup full of your garden's bounty? Roast up some tomatoes, peppers and onions and freeze them in a ziplock bag. Once winter rolls around, it's as simple as adding your roasted veggies to a pot with some chicken stock and a touch of cream. Comfort food at its finest!

Lastly, let's talk about freezing. It's no secret that the freezer is a great tool for preserving our garden's glory. Have a lot of green beans? Blanche them then freeze them for future casseroles. Grate up your zucchini and freeze them in ziplock bags for fall baking. Freezing is a simple and easy way to preserve your garden's treasures.

With some simple tips and tricks, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor anytime of the year. Let's raise a mason jar of salsa to another successful garden season!