So last year we went to Montreal.  We often do.  It's our default place.  We lived there for so long and loved it so much...  This year we went to Quebec City... and then Montreal.

So I mentioned in my last post that I made grape juice.
Don't get all tied in a knot about it though.  It just made two jars.  If I'd had more grapes then I would have made more though cause it was easy.  Stupid easy.  So easy that I could've done it in my sleep.  So easy that it's almost embarrassing putting it on my blog.  But here's what happened.
I love some farmers markets more than others.  We have one near us and it's small and fine for regular stuff to fill in the gaps.  There is one that is a little bit farther away though (still very much within short biking distance) which has a great selection of almost anything you could need.  I love that one.  I also love talking to the farmers.  You don't always get to do that.  Sometimes they're just too busy and/or not interested but that's cool.  I went to the market I love to get my peaches.  I talked to the farmer who was this totally cool guy.  We could hang - you know.   Have a beer, put some music on and shoot the breeze.  Once he found out I wanted a whole bushel and then got over his surprise (he told me very few people in my part of town buy in big quantities like that) he started telling me which peaches will taste best once canned even though I'll hate him for it because the pits are hard to get out (and yeah I cussed him a couple of times the next day, I'll admit it).  That's cool though because now he was my bud and giving me useful info. I kinda felt like it was a challenge too.  My new farmer bud seeing just how hard core the city slicker is going to go - wondering if we really could be buds.  I totally went in for the delayed gratification option (pain in the ass now better taste later).  So he just let me behind the table to fill my (very ridiculously large) basket up.  Like I said, he was cool and by this time we were buds.


So I'm done filling my basket and ready to transport it to my car ('cause it's too far with that much fruit) and he starts throwing in some grapes.  I thought he was joking and that he'd take them back.  Not only did that not happen but he started piling some more bunches on top.  So I'm thinking Wow, That's so nice, what a cool bud AND What in hell am I gonna do with these things.  All at the same time I'm thinking this - the brain is so amazing.
So, this looked like the easiest thing to do with the grapes.  I didn't have a lot of time or patience by the time those peaches were canned.  It was the best option.   Plus, they look kinda pretty with the grapes all at the bottom of the jar.  Who knows, maybe I'll go back and get some more.  Thanks to my new farmer buddy.


Grape Juice adapted only just a little from 'Simply in Season'

1 cup washed concord grapes
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups boiling water

1 1 litre jar and sealing lid

Sterilize the jar (wash in hot soapy water - dry - put on a baking sheet and in the oven at 300 for about 10 minutes)

Place a room temperature fork or knife in the jar if it's just out of the oven.  This prevents cracking.

Add in about 1/2 of the boiling water.  Then add in the grapes and the sugar.  Mix it around a little bit, letting the sugar dissolve.  Add in the rest of the still boiling water.

Seal the top of the jar.

Place under a towel and let the seal do it's work.