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In the world of a busy harvest season, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It's where we transform the bounty from our gardens into delicious meals and preserve the flavors of the season for later enjoyment. Today, I want to share with you my favorite homestead kitchen tools that make the tasks of preserving and everyday cooking a breeze. These tools not only save time but also add a touch of convenience to your daily kitchen adventures. From slicing strawberries to coring them, from making sauce to chopping vegetables, these tools have become indispensable in my homestead kitchen.
Strawberry Mushroom Slicer: Let's start with a tool that adds both speed and efficiency to your kitchen endeavors: the strawberry/ mushroom slicer. This handy gadget is perfect for slicing strawberries, but it's also versatile enough to use with mushrooms, kiwis, or any other small, round fruit or vegetable. Its blades make quick work of slicing, and the uniform results are not only visually appealing but also perfect for dehydrating. I find myself reaching for this tool all summer long as I process our garden's strawberry harvest. I have had others before, but it seemed like they were not strong enough to hold up to constant use and pressure. https://amzn.to/3UdjYKx
Food-Strainer: The Food -Strainer is a homesteader's dream when it comes to preserving fruits and vegetables. Whether you're making tomato sauce, applesauce, or berry puree, this tool simplifies the process by easily separating the pulp from the skin and seeds. Because this separates everything that you don't want in your sauce, just chunk up the entire fruit. If it is a dense and hard fruit, cook it first in a little water or steam. This will make it go through without any trouble and what you are left with is just the dry skin, core and seeds, a chickens' delight! It comes with a hand-crank design, it's easy to use and doesn't require electricity, but my dad also added a motor to ours, so it takes the "arm work" out of it. This tool helps me quickly make the most of my garden's harvest and reduces food waste by extracting every last bit of goodness from my produce. This link is not for the one I have as they are the "newer versions" available, but it should give you an idea and you can research from there. https://amzn.to/49cKtUK
Veggie Peeler: In every kitchen, a top-quality vegetable peeler is an essential tool. Whether you're in the midst of peeling potatoes for a hearty stew or preparing a fresh salad with crisp carrots, this versatile instrument ensures the task is not just swift but incredibly efficient. I've tried my fair share of peelers over the years, but one, in particular, has consistently outshone them all when it comes to speed and ease. My mom gifted it to me many years ago, and only recently did it require replacement. Once you've experienced the convenience of a superior vegetable peeler, there's simply no turning back. This peeler's unique feature allows for long strokes, ideal for tackling zucchinis effortlessly. Its user-friendly handle and blade orientation make it a joy to operate, gliding seamlessly and leaving your kitchen duties quick and virtually effortless. It's truly astonishing how much time and effort a high-quality veggie peeler can save in the bustling hub of the kitchen. https://amzn.to/48SNgTg
Strawberry Corer: When it's strawberry season, a strawberry corer is a lifesaver. This simple tool removes the core and leaves of the strawberry making preserving and storage a breeze. I then dry the leaves to add into my hot winters' teas. They are packed full of nutrients and vitamins especially needed in a time of no fresh garden produce. https://amzn.to/4bbdhyy
Hand Chopper/Dicer: Chopping and dicing vegetables can be a time-consuming task, but with a hand chopper/dicer, it becomes a breeze. This tool is especially handy for chopping peppers or onions for Cowboy Candy or preparing for the dehydrator. It offers uniformity in your cuts, ensuring even cooking and dehydrating. Plus, it saves your fingers from the risk of accidental cuts and will save you so much time and effort. https://amzn.to/48VXthO
Danish Dough Hook: For those of you who revel in the art of working with dough of any kind, the Danish dough hook is an absolute game-changer. We all know the struggle: as you initially stir your dough, your trusty spoon or spatula inevitably becomes a sticky mess and cleaning it off your fingers becomes an annoying task. The Danish dough hook swoops in as the ultimate solution, simplifying the kneading process and sparing you both precious time and energy. Whether you're crafting rustic artisan loaves, delightful cookies, or soft dinner rolls, this ingenious tool efficiently mixes and kneads your dough without leaving your stirring utensil coated in sticky residue. It's a revelation in the kitchen, particularly for those who have a deep passion for baking their own bread. With the Danish dough hook in your arsenal, you can effortlessly craft homemade bread that rivals the finest bakery offerings, infusing your homestead kitchen with the delightful aroma and taste of tradition. https://amzn.to/47TE2oq
All-American Canner: Preserving the bountiful harvest from your garden is a fundamental aspect of homesteading, and the All-American Canner is by far one of my most loved IF you pressure can a lot. Its cost is something that needs to be saved for and justified, but I think that it is worth every penny! It has saved me so much time in processing and also the energy saved because the loads are so much larger. This American-made canner is renowned for its durability and exceptional performance. With a heavy-duty design, it can handle large batches of fruits, vegetables, or meats with ease. Its unique metal-to-metal seal eliminates the need for a rubber gasket, making it low-maintenance. I also like that it has both the weight and the gauge so that if the gauge ever goes off, I can continue to use it because the weight will always work properly. Whether you're canning jams, pickles, or pressure canning low-acid foods like beans or soups, the All-American Canner is a must-have for any serious homesteader. It's a timeless piece of equipment that allows you to stock your pantry with wholesome, homegrown goodness year-round.
Canning Lid Saver: In a world where frugality and maximizing the value of your investments hold significant sway, the Canning Lid Saver emerges as an indispensable tool for preserving both your resources and the environment. This remarkable tool delicately lifts the edge of the sealed lid without causing any harm, making it perfectly reusable. The result? Fewer lids needing replacement each season and reduced waste. https://amzn.to/3UjKqSC
Dehydrator: In the bustling hub of our homestead kitchen, there's a kitchen tool that's become my culinary ally of choice: the Excalibur 9 Tray Dehydrator. It's not just a kitchen gadget; it's a game-changer. With its generous nine trays, adjustable temperature settings, and smart airflow system, it's a pro at drying everything from garden-fresh produce to flavorful herbs. But the magic doesn't stop at preservation; it's a gateway to culinary creativity. Whip up your own jerky, make sweet fruit leather, or transform garden herbs into aromatic seasonings. Plus, it's built tough, so it'll stick around to help you savor your garden's bounty year-round and experiment with exciting new flavors in your homestead kitchen. NOTE... there are versions also available that have timers. I do not find that these are a necessary feature comparing to the extra cost, but you may find a timer helpful. https://amzn.to/3u6xqFp
Silicone lipped sheets: essential tools for dehydrating items that tend to slide or contain liquids. I use them regularly with various foods, preventing spills and keeping everything secure in the dehydrator. https://amzn.to/3SJMx17
Masonking Jar vacuum sealer: In the world of dehydrating and preserving, a hand jar sealer emerges as an unsung hero. It's the secret to keeping your dehydrated goods fresh for the long haul. What sets these handheld wonders apart is their mobility; you can bring them to your jars, eliminating the need to transport your jars to a sealing station. With just a press of a button, they vacuum-pack your dehydrated treasures into airtight containers, sealing in flavor and nutrition. Whether you're stockpiling the tastes of summer or building a well-stocked pantry, hand jar sealers are your trusted allies in the homestead kitchen, ensuring your harvest stays ready to impress your taste buds at any time. I have tried several types, but this one by far is my favorite for ease in use and function. https://amzn.to/48PHh1o
Steam juicer: In the realm of preserving the pure, natural flavors of fruits, the humble steam juice pot emerges as an indispensable kitchen companion. This unassuming yet invaluable tool lets you unlock the essence of fresh fruits, enabling the creation of homemade juices, syrups, and even jellies with ease. Its gentle, steam-powered extraction process keeps the fruits' vibrant colors and flavors intact while minimizing waste. Whether you have an abundance of berries, apples, or grapes from your garden, this versatile pot can accommodate them all. With your freshly extracted juices, you can elevate your culinary endeavors, from crafting refreshing fruit beverages to concocting delightful syrups and homemade jellies. https://amzn.to/3Sju4qm
Manual Can opener: An essential addition to any kitchen is a reliable manual can opener. I particularly value a sturdy one that effortlessly handles large family-sized cans. Additionally, I appreciate the convenience of having a hanging hole at the top for easy storage, ensuring it's always within reach when needed. With this can opener, there's no need to search for tools or risk cutting yourself on partially opened cans – simply grab and open with ease. https://amzn.to/42fjDc6
Grain Mill: Growing your own grains means grinding flours to use. This is a low cost mill, but I really like it for the basic things I need, and it is affordable. https://amzn.to/3TQTiOQ
In the world of cooking from scratch and preserving food, having the right tools can seriously level up your kitchen game. These kitchen tools have become my pride and joy and trusty sidekicks while working in the kitchen. They don't just make preserving the bounty easier; they also bring a whole lot of convenience and joy to everyday cooking. Whether you're a kitchen pro or just dipping your toes into the world of self-sufficiency and food preservation, these must-have kitchen tools are worth adding to your arsenal. They'll quickly become your favorites and maybe even turning into treasured family heirlooms passed down for generations to come.
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