Drying Apples and the "Three Sisters"

Cutting the last of the apples last Fall to....

...preserve and dry

After reading a book about the Pioneers of Ridge Road in Western NY

(post Revolutionary pre War 1812)

we thought it would be interesting to try some methods of food

preservation that they used as they struggled to carve out a new life in

 the rugged thick forests between Lewiston and Rochester.

We also dried Pumpkin slices by the wood stove

The fresh raw Pumpkin pieces were bigger and heavier than the

raw apple slices when first strung, but they eventually shrunk

 much smaller then the apple slices did when dried.

Most likely because of the sugar content in the apples is greater.

Both were slightly leathery.

Dried Pumpkin seeds are nutritious.

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       http://www.squidoo.com/five-kernels-corn (Five Kernels of Corn Story)

Sagamity

Sagamtity was a Native American

(First nations people)

Main stay introduced to the first Settlers

saving their lives in most cases!

 It was easy to take on the run being light

and nutritious. It consisted of grownd corn

and most often dried pumpkin. It was easy

 to add to a pot with grease and cook along with fresh

caught or dried fish or meat and even berries.

The Grits that we have today

 are a result of Sagamity!

These grits tasted delectable with some dried apple and other

dried fruit (cranberries and chopped apricots)

We are hoping to be successful at planting a

"Three Sisters" garden this year.

The greatest service which can be rendered 
any country is to add a useful plant to it's culture
                                                                Thomas Jefferson 

The Story of the Three Sisters

Sister Corn is the strong Sister,

she helps her Sister Bean by allowing her

to grow up her stalk. In return Sister Bean 

gives her nutrients (nitrogen) so

she can grow strong and healthy.

The third Sister is Squash. She has large leaves

that keep weeds away and she keeps the soil moist.

Together the three sisters help each other become strong

and fruitful

 Two are better than one; because they
 have a good reward for their labour.
 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:
 but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;
for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat
: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall
withstand him;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
                                   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

visit to learn more:

http://www.reneesgarden.com

"Native Americans passed down the knowledge of

growing, using and preserving the Three Sisters through generations"........

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Read about Drying at home:

 (a very interesting site)

http://www.thecookinginn.com/dried.html

Learn more about Food Preservation here:

  http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/nchfp/factsheets/food_pres_hist.html

And learn with Carolina M Capehart

                        http://historiccookery.com/2011/12/02/drying-squishy-pumpkin/                                         

  VISIT Historic Cookery Blog: 

http://historiccookery.com/

                                                           Adventures in late 18th & early 19th Century foodways

And learn with Carolina M Capehart

http://historiccookery.com/2011/12/02/drying-squishy-pumpkin/

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And you can also visit

a very delightful and informitive site:

THE OLD FOODIE

and learn with

Janet Clarkson

                                       http://www.theoldfoodie.com/search?q=dried+

"Dried Apples. Put them in a cool oven six or seven times, and flatten them by degrees, and gently, when soft enough to bear it. If the oven be too hot, they will waste; and at first it should be very cool.
The biffin, the minshul crab, or any tart apples, are the sorts for drying.

And now to prepare them for pie:

Dried Apple Pies.

Wash the apples in two or three waters, and put them to soak in rather more water than will cover them, as they absorb a great deal. After soaking an hour or two, put them into a preserving kettle with the same water, and with the thin peel of one or two lemons, chopped fine. Boil tender; when they rise, press them down, but do not stir them. When tender, add sugar, and boil fifteen or twenty minutes longer. Dried apples, soaked over night, are made tasteless, and are mashed up by being stirred. When cooked, stir in a little melted butter, some cinnamon, and powdered cloves. It is important that the apples should be of a tart kind......." "Jennie June's American Cookery Book. 1870." (from:  http://www.theoldfoodie.com/search?q=dried+)

Mildred Mousiekin loves to bake pies with her dried apples!!

How to COOK DRIED BEANS:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipes/cooking-tips/cook-dried-beans

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Squanto

Squanto was responsible for teaching the

 Early Pilgrims of Massachusetts many skills

 which helped them survive.

The "Three Sisters" method was a very effective

technique using Corn, Beans and Squash planted together.

http://www.tahtonka.com/food.html

                                                                     
                                                                     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto

who was Squanto:

http://www.joyfulheart.com/thanksgiving/squanto.htm

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squanto

http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/History/BiographyTisquantum.php

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Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.                                      3 John 1:2

Do You Know JESUS?

Read more here:

http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/doYouKnowJesus.php  Need Church? .~.~.~. Listen to Sunday CHURCH with Pastor CHARLES PRICE of the Living Truth Ministries click here: http://www.livingtruthus.com/#

  Read a great Post on corn:

"Amazing Maize"

http://rfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/default.asp?Display=36

..~..~..~.. Very useful books:    

Mama Mousiekin says:
"Always FIND and USE your RESOURCES"!!

Grahm Kids, can you find 8 things that came from your house?

 

Thanks for stopping!
BLESSINGS HUGS and LOVE, Linnie