I love jars. Now, when I say that to most people, they cock their heads and look at me as if I’ve got a couple of loose marbles upstairs, as jars aren’t something most people spend a whole lot of time thinking about. However, it’s an entirely true statement. I use canning jars to store leftovers and carry my lunchtime soup to work. I stash grains, teas, candies and condiments in them. I often turn to a wide mouth 16 ouncer when my water bottle is stinky and in the summer I carry that same size in case an iced coffee craving hits me (I hate using disposable containers, I can’t help but imagine them lasting forever in the landfill). There’s also something so satisfying and solid about drinking out of a jar as opposed to a flimsy paper cup.
My favorite jar in the world is the discontinued wide mouth 20 ounce glass freezer jar. I haven’t been able to track down when Ball stopped producing these babies, but they are a rare and precious commodity. About six months ago, I bought a dozen of them on eBay so as to bolster my stash. I gave several to my mother for Christmas. She was delighted to have them, as she was the one who originally turned me on to that particular size and understands just how hard they are to find.
I trace my minor jar obsession straight back to my mom. When I was in college, she slowly began ridding the house of the Rubbermaid and Tupperware containers that we’d used for food storage since I was born. She hated that they always became stained and liked to retain particularly stinky scents. Each time I came home for long weekends or holiday breaks, there were more food-filled jars in the fridge and fewer plastic containers. These days, save for a few ancient plastic containers that she’s had since the seventies, my parents’ house is a jar-only zone.
These days, my jar collection outstriped my ability to house it. I spend the summer making jams and pickles, and so throughout the winter, tuck the empties into closets and under beds until their time in a water bath comes again. Living in Center City Philadelphia makes finding jars a bit difficult, but I live just a short hour from Lancaster County, which is the self-proclaimed home canning capital of the world (those Amish sure to make a good homemade ketchup). And there’s always eBay.
Don’t forget under the sofa, it’s a good place for the pint and 1/2 pint jars! I was lucky enough to get some of those 20 oz no shoulder jars )when a friend of my mother-in-law decided her canning days was over and send me her stash): I use them for freezing broth or ice-cream and making yogurt. Really like them too!
I totally understand this, and am glad to know I am not the only one. My boyfriend complains frequently about the jars in my apartment. I even keep some spaghetti sauce jars (The local Amish store stocks commercial type lids for them-exactly like a ragu lid, but white) right, so I mean I keep all spaghetti sauce jars.
I also use them for drinking and storage. My family thinks I am a little nuts, but I think everything should be multi purpose. Plus, things tend not to go bad as requently in the fridge because I can see what’s in the container with out having to open it up.
The glass jar, so humble and useful. What’s not to love! 🙂
I realize this is an old post, BUT: my mom offered me a whole shelf of these jars on my recent visit, and I turned them down, mostly because they were blue, looked “special,” and I was afraid that I’d break them, or something. I do have a couple in my basement, filled pickled beets, I think.
Just discovered this site and I’m in love. I share your jar obsession, and am planning to learn how to can. 🙂