Don't Toss It!

  Lately, the dehydrator has been in constant use.  We have all had a craving for dehydrated fruit snacks and since they are easy to make and healthy, it seems only natural to make them.  Today, apples were pared, cored and thinly sliced.  The dehydrator was filled to the brim and set to going.  The house smells wonderfully wintry with the scent of apples!  Next, citrus peels will be dried for use as orange zest.  Gallons of that will be dried and pulverized for later use.

  When loading the dehydrator, it occurred to me that the apple peelings were tasty, too.  Not wanting to even waste them, I gathered the whole lot and dumped them in the crock pot.  To this a bag of cranberries from the freezer and a two cups of sugar were added along with about a cup of water.  The crock pot was turned on high and it, too, spent the morning smelling up the house.  Once the peels were tender, everything was blended until smooth and then jarred.  Come morning, this apple/cranberry butter will be mighty fine on some fresh baked buttermilk biscuits!  One jar will be kept and the rest shared.

  Back on the farm, nothing went to waste.  It was instilled in me, so very long ago, that it is shameful to waste anything that can be put to good use.  I have a hard time not being appalled at those who think tossing usable stuff in the trash is a good idea.  "Waste not, want not" has always been taught as a thrifty way to be.  I suppose those folks who find it easy to trash anything have never had a need.  I would just as soon find a use for things.   No, I do not need more jelly, jam or butters but some of my neighbors do.  Sharing is a good thing, folks.  It is a good thing.  Do it.