This year I tried something they call Rumtopf here...which loosely translates to rum pot. It is an amazing liqueur which people make at home. You start it in the springtime by fermenting strawberries...and as each fresh fruit comes along through the spring into summer you add some more sugar and the new fruit of the season, ending with plums. Then you let it sit until Christmastime...
Then you have a very, very jolly Christmas!
It is by far the most wonderful drink I have ever had. (not that I have a lot of experience)
~Amie
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Here is a recipe:
Basic Rum Pot Recipe (Rumtopf)
Makes 2 Gallons
3 cups strawberries
2 cups (about) each fresh fruits as they come in season:
Prepared Gooseberres
Cherries
Red currants
Black currants
Raspberries
Apricots
Peaches
Plums
Pears
10 cups sugar (approximately)
2 qt amber rum (approx)
Traditionally, this rum pot is begun in early summer, place in a
cool dark cellar, and new layers of fruit are added as they come
in season. The fruit is ready to use by the beginning of Advent
(December)
As the rum-pot, you can use a 1 - 2 gallon crock with a lid. All
of the fruit should be ripe, but not over ripe. Pick over the
fruit, remove any damaged parts and pit or core it before measuring.
Cut larger fruits such as peaches into smaller chunks.
Sprinkle the strawberries with 1 1/2 cup sugar. cover and let
stand 30 minutes. Place the sugared strawberries in the rum pot
and pour in enough rum to cover the fruit by about 2 finger widths.
Cover the pot with plastic wrap, and put on the lid. Place in a
cool room, and stir the fruit gently every two or three days.
Starting with the gooseberries, or as the fruits ripen, add the
remaining fruits in layers; mix 1 cup of fruit with 1/2 cup of
sugar before adding it to the pot, and each time add enough rum to
cover the fruit by 2 finger widths.
After the first two weeks, you will need only shake or stir the
pot every two weeks. But you must always make sure that the top
layer of fruit is covered by two finger widths of rum. At the end
of October or the beginning of November, add another cup of rum to
the pot. By the beginning of December, the fruit will be ready to
eat.

Hmmm...I dunno about peeling the peaches....I guess it would look better if they were peeled. I don't THINK it makes a big difference....but I can find out.

~Amie

I would LOVE a root cellar!!!
Someday!!!
Eliot Coleman and Barbara Damarosh grow alot of
crops for those!!!
Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Hmmmmmmmmm........

Root cellars, root cellars, how to create a root cellar......

I wonder...

There's a small slanted piece of wood that covers what I think is an entrance to the crawl space under the house....

wonder if that could be dug out some more to be big enough to put a jug of Rumtopf in, lol?! Wonder if it would stay cool there?

I could stick a thermometer in there and start monitoring the temp as it gets warmer. If it seems to be staying cool, I could dig it out a little bigger I bet!

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Jeanie with the light white hair

In ancient days, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
*** *** *** ***
Sometimes the Dragon wins.

Amie,

What a neat site! Thank you!

I was questioning my hubby about the crawl space, but he doesn't want me "messing" with it, heh! However in telling me that, he added that I could go dig a hole in the yard somewhere, instead!!! Now you are all my witnesses, hee hee!!!

Wonder how big a hole I could get dug before it dawns on him what I'm doing???!!! LOL!!!

* * * *
Jeanie with the light white hair

In ancient days, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
*** *** *** ***
Sometimes the Dragon wins.