So what have I been up to on the homesteading front in the middle of winter?
Keeping warm! Or at least trying to!
Between fending off possums (who have taken a disturbing interest in my favourite lemon tree) and salvaging what I can, it’s been a busy and chilly season. ‘Sourposs’ (and his mates) decided that stripping the lemon bare of its peel, and leaving the flesh still hanging innocently on the tree, was not just a fun hobby but an evening ritual. Needless to say I have been salvaging as much fruit as practically possible and have been making the most of every part of each lemon!
Here’s what’s been happening in the kitchen this past month:
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I’ve learned how to preserve pure citrus juice (lemon and lime), which is endlessly handy
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Dehydrated the lemon peel for my famous homemade lemon pepper seasoning
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Preserved whole lemons in their own juice, along with lashings of sea salt
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Bottled plenty of sweet and sour cooking sauce (aka marinade)
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Frozen lemon slices for a much-anticipated summer gin and tonic
- Frozen lemon juice cubes for a rainy day
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Infused some limoncello, as you do🍋
The reason lemon and lime juice can be safely preserved without any additives using the water-bath method comes down to pH. Foods with a pH of 4.6 or lower are considered high-acid, which means they naturally inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum, which is the culprit behind botulism.
Back to the cold… and yes, brrr.
The frosts have been sharp and steady across this sleepy slice of rural Waikato. Which means we’re leaning heavily on our trusty log burner. There’s a particular satisfaction in knowing you’ve prepped well for winter, and our woodshed is earning its keep.
Following on from our earlier efforts to build a proper wood storage system, we’ve been putting that structure to good use. Not only is the current supply keeping us cosy, but we’ve also taken full advantage of a heavy winter pruning to start seasoning wood for next winter too. Firewood needs proper airflow and time, at least six months, to dry out enough to burn efficiently and safely. Hard work, yes. But deeply satisfying.
That’s it from me this month. Possum patrol continues, the lemon tree is hanging in there, and the fire’s going strong. Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying warm and well-fed. More soon from the homestead.