Processing time for cabbage
I have a question about the processing time that you list for canning cabbage in Growing and Canning your Own Food. In my copy of your book, the processing time for quarts is listed as 35 minutes, but I think this is an error as my old Kerr canning guide lists 55 minutes for quarts at 10 pounds of pressure. Was this an error in the book? PS – I am really enjoying the book with your personal experiences included.
Nancy Walk
Marthasville, Missouri
There are various times listed for quarts of cabbage. It seems like few people home can cabbage anymore. What a shame. I use the 30 minutes recommended in Stocking Up and have used it for years. Another book, Putting Food By, lists cabbage processing time as 35 minutes. I’m glad you’re enjoying the book. If you feel more “safe” using the 55 minutes, please do. — Jackie
Headless chickens
Just a quick note, Edwin Long’s headless chickens are the result of a raccoon. Raccoons will first bite the head off a chicken and then move on to the next chicken. I have periodically had a problem with raccoons in my chicken coops and the best way I have found to get rid of them is to set a “live trap’ at night, after the chickens have roosted. Check the trap in the morning and you should have your culprit. If you managed to catch one of your own chickens you can just let it go and reset again that night. Don’t assume that once you have caught a raccoon that there aren’t any more. Reset the trap again for another couple of nights. You may find out you have a whole family of raccoons. Oh, and I have found the best bait is some canned fish … tuna seems to work best.
Paul Carlson
Springfield, USA
Thanks for the tip. My raccoons back on the farm didn’t behead chickens but ate the whole thing and carried off others. The live trap may help Edwin’s problem. — Jackie
