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Good Things to Eat As Suggested By Rufus

<h2>PRESERVES, PICKLES AND RELISH</h2> CHERRY PICKLES—Stem, but do not pit, large ripe cherries. Put into a jar and cover with a sirup made from two cups of sugar, two cups of vinegar and a rounding teaspoon each of ground cloves and cinnamon cooked together five minutes. Let stand two days, pour off the vinegar, reheat and pour over the cherries, then seal. CHILI SAUCE—Peel and slice six large ripe tomatoes, add four onions chopped fine, three-quarters of a cup of brown sugar, one-quarter cup of salt, four cups of vinegar and two teaspoons each of ginger and cloves and one-half teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Cook together one hour and seal in small glass jars. COLD CATSUP—Cut four quarts of tomatoes fine, add one cup of chopped onion, one cup of nasturtium seeds that have been cut fine, one cup of freshly grated horseradish, three large stalks of celery chopped, one cup of whole mustard seeds, one-half cup of salt, one tablespoonful each of black pepper, cloves and cinnamon, a tablespoon of mace, one-half cup of sugar and four quarts of vinegar. Mix all well together and put in jars or bottles. It needs no cooking, but must stand several weeks to ripen. CREOLE SAUCE—Scald and peel twenty-four tomatoes. Remove the seeds from green peppers and cut the pulp and four onions fine. Shred one ounce dried ginger, mix and add four tablespoons each of sugar and salt, three cups of vinegar and one-half pound seedless raisins. Boil slowly three hours, then put away in wide-mouthed bottles. GINGERED GREEN TOMATOES—To one peck small green tomatoes allow eight onions. Slice all together and sprinkle with one cupful of salt. Let them stand twenty-four hours, then drain and cover with fresh water. Make a strong ginger tea, allowing one quart of boiling water to a pound of bruised ginger root. Let it simmer gently for twenty minutes until the strength of the ginger is extracted. Scald the chopped tomatoes in this. Drain. Mix together one ounce ground ginger, two tablespoonfuls black pepper, two teaspoonfuls ground cloves, a quarter pound white mustard seed, one-half cupful ground mustard, one ounce allspice, three ounces celery seed and three pounds brown sugar. Now put the sliced onions and tomatoes in a kettle with sugar and spices in alternate layers, and pour over them enough white wine vinegar to cover well. Cook the pickle until tender, then pack in jars and seal. GREEN TOMATO MINCE—To two quarts chopped apples, greenings are best, allow two quarts chopped green tomatoes, one pound each seeded raisins and cleaned currants, one-half nutmeg, one teaspoonful of cinnamon, one-half teaspoonful ground cloves, six cups granulated sugar and a cupful and a half of cider vinegar. Boil slowly three or four hours and can. PICALILLI—Allow to one gallon sliced green tomatoes one pint grated horseradish, eleven ounces brown sugar, two tablespoons each of fine salt and ground mustard. Put the tomatoes in a large stone crock, sprinkle the salt over them and let stand over night with a slight press on top. In the morning add to the tomatoes and let stand several weeks until it has formed its own vinegar. Always keep the pickle under the liquor and have it in a cool place. PEPPER RELISH—Chop fine a small head of white cabbage, six large green peppers, and a nice bunch of celery. Put in a large bowl and sprinkle with a half cup of salt, mix well, cover and let stand over night. Next morning drain and mix in two tablespoons of mustard seed, and pack in a stone jar. Put in a porcelain kettle three pints of vinegar, two tablespoons sugar, one tablespoon each of whole cloves, allspice and whole pepper, a clove of garlic and one onion minced. Simmer gently twenty minutes, strain and pour boiling hot over the vegetables. When cold cover and keep in a cool place. TOMATO CATSUP—This catsup has a good relish on account of the onion in it. Wash ripe tomatoes, cut them in slices and cook slowly for one hour. Press through a sieve to take out the seeds and skin. To one quart of this pulp and juice add one tablespoon of cinnamon, one of black pepper and one of mustard, one teaspoon of cayenne, one-half cup of salt and two onions chopped fine. Simmer two and one-half hours, then add two cups of vinegar, cook an hour longer. Put in bottles and seal. TOMATO CHUTNEY—Cut up and peel twelve large tomatoes and to them add six onions chopped fine, one cup of vinegar, one cup of sugar, a handful of finely chopped raisins, salt to taste, a half teaspoonful of cayenne and a half teaspoonful of white pepper. Boil one and one-half hours and bottle or put in stone jars. VEGETABLE RELISH—Use two quarts each of cooked and finely chopped beets and cabbage, add four cups sugar, two tablespoons salt, one tablespoon black pepper, a half tablespoon cayenne, a cup of grated horseradish and enough cold vinegar to cover. Bottle in glass jars and keep in a cool place. APPLE AND GRAPE JELLY—Pull the grapes off the stems of six large bunches, put them in a preserving kettle, just cover with water. Pare and slice six large fall pippin apples. Put them with the grapes. When boiled soft strain through a flannel bag. To a pint of juice allow three quarters of a pound of sugar. Boil the juice fifteen minutes, skim and add the sugar, which has been heated. Boil ten or fifteen minutes. This will fill three jelly glasses. BLACK CURRANT JELLY—This is one of the best old-fashioned remedies for sore throats, while a teaspoonful of it dissolved into a tumbler of cold water affords a refreshing fever drink or family beverage on a hot day. Stem large ripe black currants and after washing put into the preserving kettle, allowing a cupful of water to each quart of fruit. This is necessary because the black currant is drier than the red or white. Mash with a wooden spoon or pestle, then cover and cook until the currants have reached the boiling point and are soft. Turn into a jelly bag and drain without squeezing. To each pint of the juice allow a half pound loaf sugar. Stir until well mixed, then cook just ten minutes from the time it commences to boil. Overcooking makes it tough and stringy. Pour in sterilized glasses and when cold cover with paraffin. CANNED PINEAPPLE—Pare the pineapple and carefully remove the eyes with a sharp-pointed silver knife. Chop or grate or shred it with a fork, rejecting the core. Weigh, and to every pound of fruit allow a half pound of sugar, put all together in the preserving kettle, bring quickly to boiling, skim, and remove at once. Put into jars and fill to overflowing with sirup, and seal. CHERRY PRESERVES—Select large red cherries, stem and stone them, and save the juice. Weigh the fruit and an equal amount of sugar. Sprinkle the sugar over the cherries and let stand six hours, then put into a preserving kettle, add the juice, and heat slowly. Simmer until the cherries are clear, and skim carefully several times. Seal in jars and keep in a cool, dark place. CRANBERRY CONSERVE—To three and a half pounds cranberries add three pounds sugar, one pound seeded raisins and four oranges, cut in small pieces after peeling. Cook gently about twenty minutes, take from the fire, add one pound walnut meats, and cool. CHERRY JELLY—The juice of cherries does not make a firm jelly without the addition of gelatin. This means that it will not keep, but must be eaten soon after making. But if a soft jelly will satisfy it can be made, and kept like other jellies, without gelatin. To make this jelly crush ripe cherries and cook until soft, with just enough water to keep from burning. Strain and measure, to each cup of juice allow a cup of sugar. Simmer the juice ten minutes, heat the sugar and drop into the boiling juice. In a few minutes a soft jelly will form. CRANBERRY MOLD—This is an extremely pretty way of serving cranberries in individual molds. Wash a quart of cranberries and put in a porcelain or granite saucepan. Sprinkle over the top of the berries two cupfuls of sugar and on top of the sugar pour one cupful cold water. Set over the fire and cook slowly. When the berries break into a boil, cover just a few moments, not long, or the skins will burst, then uncover and cook until tender. Do not strain, but pour at once into small china molds. This gives a dark rich looking mold that is not too acid and preserves the individuality of the fruit. If you wish to use some of the cranberries in lieu of Maraschino cherries, take up some of the most perfect berries before they have cooked too tender, using a darning needle or clean hat pin to impale them. Spread on an oiled plate and set in warming oven or a sunny window until candied. CURRANT AND RASPBERRY JELLY—Some of the finest jellies and jams are made from raspberries combined with currants. For jelly use two-thirds of currant juice to one-third raspberry juice and finish in the usual way. FIG PRESERVES—Take the figs when nearly ripe and cut across the top in the form of a cross. Cover with strong salted water and let stand three days, changing the water every day. At the end of this time cover with fresh water, adding a few grape or fig leaves to color, and cook until quite green. Then put again in cold water, changing twice daily, and leave three days longer. Add a pound granulated sugar to each pound figs, cook a few moments, take from the fire and set aside for two days. Add more sugar to make sweet, with sliced and boiled lemon or ginger root to flavor, and cook until tender and thick. GREEN GRAPE MARMALADE—If, as often happens, there are many unripened grapes still on the vines and frost threatens, gather them all and try this green grape marmalade. Take one gallon stemmed green grapes, wash, drain and put on to cook in a porcelain kettle with one pint of water. Cook until soft, rub through a sieve, measure and add an equal amount of sugar to the pulp. Boil hard twenty-five minutes, watching closely that it does not burn, then pour into jars or glasses. When cold cover with melted paraffin, the same as for jelly. GREEN TOMATOES CANNED FOR PIES—To fifteen pounds round green tomatoes sliced thin allow nine pounds granulated sugar and a quarter pound ginger, washed, scraped and cut very thin, and four lemons scrubbed and sliced thin, removing all seeds. Put this mixture over the fire with a pint of water and cook about half an hour, taking care the contents of the kettle do not scorch. Turn into sterilised glass jars and seal air tight. A tablespoonful of cinnamon and a half tablespoonful each of cloves and allspice may be added to the sauce while cooking if desired. PEAR AND BLUEBERRY PRESERVES—Pick over and wash two quarts of blueberries, add water to nearly cover and stew them half hour. Mash them well, when all are broken turn into a bowl covered with cheese cloth. Drain well and when cool squeeze out all the juice. Put the blueberry juice on to boil, add one pint of sugar to each pint of juice and remove all scum. Allow one quart of sliced pears to one pint of juice. Use hard pears not suitable for canning. Cook them in the syrup, turning over often and when soft and transparent skim them out into the jars. Boil down the syrup and strain over the fruit. Fill to overflowing and seal. PRESERVED CURRANTS—Weigh seven pounds of currants before picking over, then stem them and throw out all that are not perfect. Put seven pounds of sugar with three pints of currant juice and boil three minutes, add the currants, one pound of seeded raisins, and cook all twenty minutes. Seal in small jars. PRESERVED STRAWBERRIES—The following method for preserving strawberries is highly recommended. Weigh the berries and allow an equal amount of sugar. As two cups weigh a pound, the sugar can be measured. Put the sugar into the preserving kettle with enough cold water to moisten it, but not enough to make it a liquid. Set the kettle on the back of the range, and when the sugar has entirely dissolved lay in the fruit and heat. As soon as it boils skim and cook five minutes. Do not stir or mash the berries. Now spread them around on deep platters or enameled pans and cover with panes of window glass. Set in the sun, and the syrup will gradually thicken. Turn into small jars and seal. RHUBARB JAM—Add to each pound of rhubarb cut without peeling, a pound of sugar and one lemon. Pare the yellow peel from the lemon, taking care to get none of the bitter white pith. Slice the pulp of the lemon in an earthen bowl, discarding the seeds. Put the rhubarb into the bowl with the sugar and lemon, cover and stand away in a cool place over night. In the morning turn into the preserving kettle, simmer gently three-quarters of an hour or until thick, take from the fire, cool a little and pour into jars. SPICED CRABAPPLES—Wash the crabapples, cut out the blossoms end with a silver knife. To four pounds of fruit take two pounds of sugar, one pint of vinegar, one heaping teaspoon each of broken cinnamon, cassia buds and allspice, add one scant tablespoon whole cloves. Tie the spices in a thin bag and boil with the vinegar and sugar five minutes. Skim them, add the apples and simmer slowly until tender; which will take about ten or fifteen minutes. Skim out the apples, putting them in a large bowl or jar. Boil the sugar five minutes longer and pour over the fruit. Next day drain off the syrup, heat to the boiling point and pour again over the apples. Do this for the next two days, then bottle and seal while hot. SPICED CRABAPPLE JELLY—With crabapples still on hand a nice spiced jelly can be made to serve with meats. Cook the apples without peeling until tender. Strain through a jelly bag, add vinegar to taste with cloves and cinnamon. Cook twenty minutes, add an equal quantity of sugar that has been heated in the oven. Boil five minutes, skim and turn in glasses. SPICED RIPE TOMATO—Peel ripe tomatoes and weigh. For each seven pounds allow two cups of vinegar, seven cups of sugar, one ounce of whole allspice, the same of stick cinnamon and one-half ounce of whole cloves. Cook the tomatoes half an hour or until soft, cutting to pieces while cooking. Add the vinegar, sugar and spices tied in a muslin bag. Cook until thick like marmalade. Serve with cold meats. TOMATO FIGS—Scald eight pounds of yellow tomatoes and remove the skins. Pack them in layers with an equal weight of sugar. After twenty-four hours drain off the juice and simmer five minutes, add the tomatoes and boil until clear. Remove the fruit with a skimmer and harden in the sun while you boil down the syrup until thick; pack jars two-thirds full of the tomatoes, pour the syrup over and seal. Add the juice of four lemons, two ounces of green ginger root tied up in a bag and the parboiled yellow rind of the lemons to the juice when boiling down. WILD GRAPE BUTTER—If the wild frost grapes are used, take them after the frost has ripened them. Stem and mash, then mix with an equal quantity of stewed and mashed apple. Rub the mixture through a sieve, add half as much sugar as there is pulp and cook until thick, being careful that it does not burn. It is a good idea to set preserves and fruit butters in the oven with the door ajar to finish cooking as there is then much less danger of burning or spattering. YELLOW TOMATO PRESERVES—Allow a pound sugar to each pound tomatoes and half cup of water to each pound fruit. Cover the tomatoes with boiling water, then skim. Make a syrup with the sugar, and when boiling skim and add the tomatoes. Have ready a sliced lemon that has been cooked in boiling water and a little sliced ginger. Add to the tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are clear, remove, pack in jars, cook the syrup until thick, pour over and seal. MINCE MEAT—One peck sour apples, three pounds boiled beef, two pounds suet, one quart canned cherries, one quart grape juice, one pint cider, one pint apple butter, one glass orange marmalade, half pound candied orange peel, half pound citron, two pounds currants, two pounds raisins, two tablespoonfuls salt. Put all together and boil up well. This may be canned for future use. <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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