It’s becoming a tradition for us to visit during harvest season with friends and family because the fruit is canned in jars the old-fashioned way. The process starts by peeling and coring apples, removing pits from stonefruits, and slicing pears.

Then the ingredients are all placed in slow cookers or pots on the stove, creating wonderful aromas throughout the house. Once thoroughly cooked, some batches require mashing or blending.

When jars are filled and the lids carefully secured, racks are lowered into a large, boiling water bath on the stove. This black pot was passed down from a parent, so it has special, sentimental value.

When the timer beeps and jars are removed, the lids begin “popping” as they cool to ensure an airtight seal. Finally, labels are attached, and they are ready to hopefully help people have a little better day.