6 Delicious Ways to Use Winter Squash

Chelsea stirring one of 6 squash recipes spread out on her butcher block island.

If you are someone who claims they don’t like squash, I would encourage you to stick with me. In several of these recipes, the squash is the main ingredient, but it is supported by so many other flavors—like bacon, enchilada sauce, or sharp cheddar—that the “squashiness” is completely camouflaged.

Harvesting Homegrown Ginger & 6 Ways to Preserve It

Chelsea holding a homegrown ginger plant by the roots, outside in winter.

I recently experienced a moment in the garden that felt like a significant step forward in my self-sufficiency journey. I managed to grow enough ginger here in my northern garden (Zone 3) to last our family for nearly the entire year.

How to Pressure Can Homemade Soup: 3 Hearty Recipes

A row of quart mason jars filled with homemade pressure-canned soups sitting on a wooden counter.

In This Post Why I Can My Own Soups A Note on Canning Safety: What Not to Include Recipe 1: Creamy Potato Leek Soup Base Recipe 2: Hearty Chicken Taco Soup Recipe 3: Versatile Vegetable Soup How to Pressure Can Your Soups Printable Checklist Having a shelf full of home-canned soup is one of the … Read more

How to Cook From Your Pantry: A Week of Easy Meals

Chelsea smiling and holding three jars of home-canned food in a cozy log home kitchen next to a vintage wood cookstove.

Over the last few months, we’ve spent so much time together in the garden—growing, harvesting, and preserving all of that wonderful food. We recently did a tour of the pantry where it’s all stored, and now comes the best part: using it.

4 Delicious Beet Recipes (That Don’t Taste Like Dirt!)

Chelsea holding a crate full of beets up for the camera while standing in front of her root cellar.

In This Post Why I Adore Beets (and How to Store Them) A Quick Note on Prepping Beets Recipe 1: My Favourite Beet Borscht Recipe 2: Zesty Ginger Beet Relish (Canning) Recipe 3: Harvard Beets (Canning) Recipe 4: Simple Roasted Beets with Balsamic & Honey Printable Checklist I am on a mission to convert as … Read more

Easy Big-Batch Zucchini Bread and Muffins (Perfect for Freezing)

A plate with 2 pieces of zucchini bread with butter on it. The loaf is to the left and a freezer ziploc full of zucchini muffins is in the background.

I don’t know about you, but by the time August rolls around, I’m looking at my garden zucchinis like they’ve turned into monsters overnight. You go away for a day or two and come back to a plant offering up what feels like a wheelbarrow full of squash! If you’re in the same boat, this … Read more

How to Make Garlic Scape Salt (Oven or Freeze Dryer)

A close up of freshly cut garlic scapes with Chelsea's smiling face in the background.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a pile of garlic scapes and wondering what to do with them all—this one’s for you. For many of us who grow our own garlic, the harvest of these curly green stems is a sure sign that summer is in full swing. Garlic scape salt is one of my favorite and, I think, the best way to preserve that fresh, garlicky goodness for months to come. It’s simple, versatile, and makes the perfect seasoning for everything from roasted veggies to scrambled eggs and even garlic bread.

How to Make Chive Blossom Vinegar (Simple, Beautiful & Delicious)

Chive blossoms steeping in white vinegar inside a glass jar.

Chive blossom vinegar is one of those little kitchen projects that feels a bit like magic. In the early summer, when the garden is just beginning to hit its stride, you can take a handful of blossoms from your chive plants and steep them in vinegar. Just a few days later, you’ll have a stunning pink infusion that smells wonderful and adds the perfect kick to salad dressings, marinades, and roasted veggies.

Cardamom Cherry Jam (Plus a Bonus Cherry Lemonade Concentrate!)

A before-and-after photo showing the process of making homemade cherry jam. The left image shows ripe cherries on a tree, and the right image shows a finished jar of dark cherry jam.

Sweet cherries and cardamom are a match made in summer kitchen heaven. This jam is warm and rich with just a hint of spice—perfect for spreading on toast, spooning over yogurt, or layering in desserts. And if you’re looking for something a little different, the same base can be turned into a cherry concentrate for … Read more