Rhubarb is a plant grown in many backyard gardens. It is an ever-faithful plant that rises out of the ground in the spring, without anyone caring for it. It produces an abundance of fruit for a variety of recipes. Next time you walk by the rhubarb, say thanks.
Rhubarb relish
6 cups cut-up rhubarb 1.5L
2 cups chopped onion 500 mL
2 cups vinegar 500 mL
3 cups brown sugar 750 mL
1 tablespoon salt 15 mL
1 teaspoon cinnamon 5 mL
1 teaspoon allspice 5 mL
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1 teaspoon ginger 5 mL
1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 mL
Mix together in a heavy pot. Simmer for two or three hours or until thick. Seal in sterilized jars.
Two times the recipe fits in a Dutch oven.
Bluebarb jam
31/2 cups chopped 875 mL
fresh or frozen rhubarb
1/2 cup water 125 mL
21/4 cups coarsely 560 mL
chopped fresh or frozen
blueberries or saskatoons 1 tablespoon lemon 15 mL
juice
1 box (57 g) pectin crystals 51/2 cups granulated 1.3 L
sugar
Place rhubarb and water in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce heat and simmer for five minutes, stirring frequently.
Add blueberries, lemon juice and pectin; mix well. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar, return to a full boil and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Ladle into sterilized jars.
Process in a hot water bath for five minutes, with the water level covering the jars by one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm). Begin timing after the water in the canner returns to a boil. Remove jars and let cool for 24 hours. Check seal and label.
Makes six cups (1.5 L).
Source: Put a Lid on It! by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard, 1997.
Pet contest winners
We made a random draw of all the pet stories submitted to our contest. Thanks to everyone who sent in a story. We enjoyed reading them.
Also, thanks to Atco Blue Flame Kitchen, Hill’s and The Western
Producer for donating the prizes.
The winners are:
- Everyday Delicious, Blue Flame Kitchen cookbook:
Brenda Popoff, Benito, Man.
Shirley Cross, Westlock, Alta.
Doris Slade, Sylvania, Sask.
Carol Nelson, White City, Sask.
Ruth Wiens, Domain, Man.
Laurel Dmytrow, Nipawin, Sask.
- Hill’s travel mug:
Laura Hughes, Edmonton
Dana McFaull, New Sarepta, Alta.
- Hill’s book, The Healing Power of Pets:
Lela Moore, Rosetown, Sask.
Carmen Sullivan,e-mail
- Hill’s blanket:
Jeannette Roy, Arborfield, Sask.
Mary Risseeuw, Strathmore, Alta.
- Hill’s leash:
Ken and Denise Wallis, D’Arcy, Sask.
Neeltje Wyatt, Arrowwood, Alta.
- Subscription to Acreage Life:
Shelley Minato, Preeceville, Sask.
Grace Gwyer, Minnedosa, Man.
Maureen Petersen, Clandeboye, Man.
Doug & Kathy Panter, Big River, Sask.
No Hope and Little Chance
Thanks to Ken and Denise Wallis for sending in this pet story.
Our faithful Border Collie, Bishop was getting old and arthritic. We thought we would buy a new pup that Bishop could help train.
Sight unseen, we bought a Border Collie-Australian Shepherd pup. Due to the family situation at the time, we immediately named her Hope.
Unfortunately, Hope came to stand for – we hope her legs grow, we hope she is good with cattle, we hope she is smart. She proved negative on all counts. We found that instead of calling “Hope”, we were screaming “No, Hope,” as she chewed her way through shoes, a telephone, baby stroller, vacuum cleaner and several extension cords. Meanwhile, old “B” was failing and we sadly had him put down.
Early one cold December morning when Hope was about 11 months old, she didn’t run out to greet us as usual. Inside the shop we found her with one tiny, premature, black and white pup. Our grandkids named the tiny pup “Chance.” That’s right, we now had No Hope and Little Chance.
Chance beat the odds and grew into a beautiful, smart, long-legged replica of old Bishop.
When seeding this spring, Chance loved to run behind the outfit. As I crested a hill, there were three coyotes waiting. Chance immediately took off after them and the chase was on.
Quite abruptly the coyotes stopped, turned around and noticed there was only one dog in pursuit and he definitely looked more like dinner than danger. The chase reversed, with all three coyotes chasing Chance. I decided he needed an ally, so I pulled the drill out of the ground and followed. They had him cornered in a slough but backed off as soon as I left the tractor cab. Chance suffered only one bite and a little humiliation.
The following morning the same scenario was repeated but this time Chance knew that as long as he returned to the protection of the big green machine, he was safe.
Alma Copeland is a home economist from Elrose, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspon-dence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
