My love for mason jars is a very public obsession. I think my second post on this blog was about all the ways I use them. The funny thing is, I've never been a "canning" person who used them for maybe their most natural purpose. I like using them as storage for bulk foods, leftovers, bringing tea and coffee to work, etc. Only until recently did I get bit by the canning bug, and I have a new appreciation for my favorite vessels.

I recently discovered Marisa's Food in Jars, the most comprehensive canning blog and one with so much mason jar eye-candy, I knew I was bitten. The best part about these two recipes is their "urban canning" aspect, alluding to the smaller quantity. Most canning requires pounds and pounds of fruit and a cauldron size canning pot, but not these. Maybe these are canning recipes for the more timid canner, or maybe just one who lives in New York and doesn't have space for 8 jars of apple butter. Either way, these are the quickest, most delicious and rewarding canning combinations that only require 1 beloved mason jar each. Don't think I stopped at "sweet" either, quick pickles and homemade whole-grain mustard are a-comin. Stay tuned.

BLUEBERRY JAM WITH LEMON + GINGER (From Food in Jars) Makes 1 pint

3 cups blueberries (1 pint approximately)

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup agave nectar

1/4 cup candied ginger

3 inches ginger, slices

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1. Add blueberries, sugar and ginger into a large bowl and let sit for 1-2 hours. For stronger ginger flavor, keep bowl in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

2. Add fruit to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Combine with lemon juice, zest and agave. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until it passes the "plate test".

3. When the jam has thickened, stir in candied ginger and pour into prepared pint jar. Apply lid and ring before processing in boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove from pan to let cool and wait for seal to pop! Once cooled, refridgerate!

HONEYCRISP APPLE + PERSIMMON BUTTER (Vegan) Makes 1 pint

4-5 persimmons, chopped

4 honeycrisp apples, chopped and peeled

1 cup water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Freshly grated nutmeg

1 lemon (optional)

1. Add chopped apple and persimmonos to a saucepan with approximately 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low heat for 3-4 hours or until fruit cooks down into a butter. Stiring occasionally.

2. Once fruit mixture starts to thicken, add cinnamon, maple syrup, sugar and nutmeg. You may also add the juice of one lemon for added tanginess.

3. Once butter is thick, pour into clean jars. Apply lid and rings before processing in boiling water for 15 minutes. Remove jar and let cool. Let butter cool and listen for seal to pop. Once cooled, refridgerate!

I honestly can't tell you how it happened, but somehow last summer I discovered the versatility of the mason jar. I was looking for a substitution for Tupperware that could hold hot food without any leeching. Somehow I thought of trying jars after seeing them at my local hardware store. Well, something happened.

I bought one, then I bought 4 more, 6 more, and it never stopped. Every shape, size, brand, you name it. It was an obsession that wasn't breaking the bank, and made me happy looking into my fridge with the jars all lined up. I now bring my favorite jars with me sometimes when traveling, which is an embarrassing confession, but a green one! I can take hot tea with me and throw it in my bag (the lids!) and drink it once I get to work. I've actually purchased products just so I can use the jar when it's done. The possibilities are ENDLESS with these babies.

Here's how I use them:

LEFTOVERS
TEA/COFFEE
BULK PRODUCTS (lentils, beans, rice, etc)
FLOUR
SUPERFOODS (goji berries, chia seeds, etc)
SPICES
MILK (homemade, nut-based)
GREEN JUICE/SMOOTHIES
FREEZING EXTRA BAKERY BATTER
HOMEMADE NUT BUTTER
TAKING ANYTHING TO GO
PENS/OFFICE SUPPLIES
CRAFTS
ETC.

The real question is what CAN'T you use these for?? They're green, all-purpose, cheap and adorable. I swear if you drink your next smoothie or tea out of one of these, not only will you feel special, but you'll understand the obsession. It's one you'll want.