Sealing jam

When making Jam, if the jar is sealed do I still need to preserve it?

Kefford “Tiny” Vincent

Soon after putting your jam into the jar, you should process it in a boiling water bath canner for 10-15 minutes, depending on the recipe. The old way was to just put the hot jam in the jar and depend on the heat of the jam to seal the lid. But sometimes the lid did not seal well and the seal failed and the jam became moldy on top. It won’t hurt you but it’s pretty disgusting to spoon off so you can eat the jam. So now we process the jams and jellies in a boiling water bath canner to ensure a safe, lasting seal on those lids. — Jackie

Raising chickens

First time raising chickens. They are about 19 weeks old but haven’t started laying yet. My first problem is that I am sure of some of the roosters and not about others. No one is crowing yet, so how to I tell male or female?

My second problem is killing off the males. A couple of them are so pretty, I hate to do it but, I know it must be done. At what age should I butcher the roosters and should I wait until the hens start laying?

Erica Kardelis
Helper, Utah

Some breeds don’t begin laying by 19 weeks…nor do the roosters start crowing. Others mature earlier. It’s no big deal.

To tell the roosters, look for larger combs (even the rose-combed breed roosters have more of a comb than pullets). Then look at the tails. Pullet tails are usually shorter and stick up where a rooster tail is longer and has an arch to the top. I know how hard it is to kill those pretty males. I’ve even given a few of mine to friends who needed a rooster! You can butcher the cockerels at any age now, as long as you can tell which are the roosters; you don’t want to inadvertently butcher pullets. Just wait until those pullets start to lay! It’s so exciting. But remember that pullet eggs are pretty small, so don’t get disappointed; they will get larger. — Jackie

Tomato paste

Congrats on your wonderful peppers, they look amazing! I lucked out and bought 2 cases of organic tomato paste, since my tomato harvest is down this year, I am wondering if I can add water and use this for my recipes? What dilution ratio would you use? Thanks for all your blogs, they are alot of help to me!

Robin Novotny
Ironton, Minnesota

Yes you can certainly use this for your recipes. Dump a can into a mixing bowl and just begin gently adding water until it is a thickness you prefer; some people like a rich, thick tomato sauce where others prefer a more liquid sauce. If it is unseasoned, you may then add seasonings such as onion, garlic, basil, and oregano to suit your taste. — Jackie