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When preserving foods for your Gift Pantry, remember that summer offers us a bounty of fresh fruits and (hopefully) a kitchen garden brimming with delights. However, if you're too busy to garden or haven't any earth to till, you may wish to make use of the gifts of the season via roadside stands, farmers' markets, and "pick~your~own" orchards!
Our favorite farm stand.We were blessed with bouquets of fresh spearmint from our favorite farm stand (at 50 cents per bunch they are a bargain!). I plucked the leaves from the stems and arranged them in single layers on the racks of our ordinary food dehydrator. (BELOW)
Fresh mint leaves ready to be dehydrated for tea.
Mint leaves fully dried.
I store the dried tea in cleaned and recycled coffee canisters until I'm ready to put together the tea bags for my gift pantry! For more Gift Pantry ideas click HERE!
You're probably creating similar transformations in your own kitchens...it'd be fun to hear what you're stocking your summer Gift Pantry with!!!
Sending love and good thoughts to all, as always!
Warmly,
Tracey and Family x0x
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7 comments:
I gave our dehydrator away years ago:(
I bet the tea was delish!
you're right - herbs and other garden goodies are such treats! a very thoughtful gift indeed and wonderfully aromatic :) hope you're having a fabulous weekend! xo Diane
The tea is surprisingly refreshing Monique...and sooo simple to make!
Love,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. Your art book/journal posts are so enchanting!
Thank you so much Diane! We had a relaxing time eating too much Italian food at my Dad's house (take out ;-). Hope you enjoyed the weekend as well. :)
Love,
Tracey
x0x
You are so right Clarice! Even with our mild winters a cup of mint tea on a chilly morning is such a comforting reminder of the warmth of the summer days.
Love,
Tracey
x0x
Thanks for the reminder to start NOW preserving for future gifts. I harvested & hung to dry green & purple basil. Also, the very best of sunflower centers are drying awaiting me to tie w/ ribbons & such to give as wintertime presents for bird lovers. Of course, I leave enough sunflowers outside for the finches to feed from.
Love love love your blog.
What a great idea(s) Gail!!! I especially love your dried sunflower centers as gifts!!! Guess what I'll be planting next spring ? :))). Also must tell you how much I appreciate the good thoughts andnice words.
Love,
Tracey xox
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