I Made Vinegar, I Think...

     So, you all know I had a bushel of apples, and made apple sauce, but I had a ton of peels and cores left over.    It seemed like such a waste to just throw it all into the mulch bin, even though that would eventually end up in my yard.  I knew that someone would have something posted about what to do with apple peels and picked two different recipes to try with the first one being vinegar.

      Okay, so call me cheap, frugal or whatever, but why waste something if there is a good use for it.  

 I dug up two huge jars that had other things in them and cleaned them well.   I filled the jars about half way with the peels and then did something different with each jar.  One I added a sugar and water syrup and the other I added just water.  The peels are supposed to be submerged which was difficult (or I'm just a bit inept) and put a baggie with water over the top of the apples to keep them submerged.  That wasn't my own idea by the way.  I then spent a few minutes making a cheesecloth lid before I remembered a reason for why I keep coffee filters in the drawer.  They are not for the coffeepot. 

The coffee filters along with a leftover rubber band from veggies made a perfect top.  I then set both jars into a dark cupboard to sit alone for a week.   I then did check on them but decided not to do the taste test, which will decide if you should leave it for a while longer.  I guess it's a personal taste preference on how strong it gets.  Let's just say, after I smelled it I would almost rather eat a bug.  Okay, maybe not a bug, but you get the picture, it was gnarly dude.  The one with the sugar solution was forming little bubbles and floaty thingies.  It smelled like it was moldy.  It did not smell at all like vinegar, even a tiny bit.  The other jar actually looked better and looks like it's doing well.  But now I'm afraid to taste it, which is dumb I know.  Once I get leery of a food and it's safety I can very easily turn my back on it. 

      Let's just say after you hear a few stories about your grandmother and her canning or you hear the usual botulism jokes you always have that in the back of your mind. 

   I remember once when the family was gathered at the table, (don't remember why) and we pulled out my plum jelly.  When the jar was popped open, it didn't "pop" which should be the end of the story.  I promptly said, throw it out, but my husband tried to say it would be alright.  We begged him not to eat it, and I guess he wanted the challenge and he took one itty bitty bite.  Yep, didn't take long before he was moaning and groaning out on the couch with stomach pains and starting to get dizzy.  I then had to drive him to urgent care and with most food poisoning they don't do anything unless it's so bad your going into something more serious.  So, we went home, and he moaned and groaned some more.  I tried not to think I told you so as he writhed on the couch.  I've never seen him do that again, but I still think he takes chances with "old" food at times.  The joke in the house is that he has a cast iron stomach. 

     Well, back to my vinegar "adventure".  I still haven't tasted it.  I'm quite sure I'm going to throw the one jar out.  I've been giving them a little more time, so I can do a bit more research on the vinegar.  The thing is, even my husband, cast iron stomach and all hasn't even tasted one of them.  He's kind of like the Mikey of the family.  You know Mikey, he'll try anything.  That makes me nervous, since if he won't try it, that is sending a message to all of us.  The kids will say, "even Dad won't taste it? Then throw it out."

vinegar with sugar (and floaty things)

Vinegar fermented with water

      If anyone has made vinegar with success, (key word there) please fill me in on my possible failure.  I mean, maybe the one jar isn't a failure and I just don't know it.  It doesn't smell too much like the Bragg Organic Vinegar that I wanted it to.  Maybe I was expecting too much, after all, I was very excited about making vinegar.

      Will I try this again?  Yup, I sure will, after I learn a bit more, and learn more about failures and why they happen.  I'm sure it must be close to being vinegar since the fruit flies have come to visit those jars, and fruit flies love vinegar.