Time Capsule 1953

As I was cleaning out a food storage room in the basement I found some time capsules. Time capsules from the year this home was built. 1953… 60 years ago. In the depths of the darkest corner, deep beneath some shelves there they were….

And what were these great time capsules?  Four, two quart canning jars with dried fruit.  “Fumigated Figs and Prunes” to be exact, dated 6/53.  This has yet to be the oldest food item tucked away in Grandma’s house, I am just sure of it.  I can just imagine it being her first project in her new large home. 

(Anyone know which month the house was finished??)

The suspense was killing me, I had to open the jars to see how they had fared the last 60 years.  As I lifted the lid a long hiss expelled followed with a whiff of dried fruit.  Lil’Miss asked what was in the jar, I told her “sploosh”.  Every read the book Holes or seen the movie?? You know what I am talking about, ancient canned fruit!

I didn’t have the guts to eat any of the dried fruit, but amazingly enough the fruit was in tact and for the most part looked like it had been stored away with in the past couple of years.  I don’t know exactly what “fumigating” dried fruit is, but it what ever it is it works!

While organizing and cleaning I found a few smaller jelly size jars with a few, dare I say more modern treasures: Pear and Cantaloupe butter from 1973 and 1975.  Pimentos from 1987 and some zucchini watermelon pickles from 1994. 

 Where were you those years??  

--73 and 75 were pre-Me

-87 I was in third grade in Mr. Hranac’s class

-1994 I was loving up my sophomore year of high school.

Good times.

Zucchini /Watermelon Pickles?

Pimentos

I got a little braver and took a little taste of the pear cantaloupe concoction, still sweet, not bad.  How’s that for some 40 year old preserves!  Are you making sure to rotate your food storage??

What kind of treasures are you finding in the deep dark corners of your home?