After the meal we moved the kettle away from the fire to start to cool so we could bag the chili for storage. We decided to weigh the kettle to get an idea how much we made. It was 136.5 lbs. after cooling and storing the chili, the empty kettle weighed 66 lbs. so the net amount was just over 70 lbs. or about 8-1/2 gallons. We stored in 22 ziplock bags to freeze for meals for winter.
-
About 3 years ago I started an outdoor chili cook on Columbus day weekend. My son and his family come to help and spend the day with us. We started with 17 lbs of ground venison, 4 lbs chopped onions, about a quart of copped sweet peppers. We cooked the meat and veggies in the old Sperry #5 cast iron kettle that came to my possession being passed down from the family farm. As I young teenager I was first involved with this kettle rendering lard on butcher day when we processed hogs. When the meat was browned, we added chili seasoning, cumin, black pepper and salt. We added tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced green chilis and tomato juice. After about an hour of simmering, we added beans, pinto, kidneys and seasoned chili beans. Another hour of cooking and we decided it was time to eat.
After the meal we moved the kettle away from the fire to start to cool so we could bag the chili for storage. We decided to weigh the kettle to get an idea how much we made. It was 136.5 lbs. after cooling and storing the chili, the empty kettle weighed 66 lbs. so the net amount was just over 70 lbs. or about 8-1/2 gallons. We stored in 22 ziplock bags to freeze for meals for winter.Last edited by Oakgrovebacon; October 13, 2019, 07:35 PM. -
Good family fun! -
that's a fantastic memory and tradition you have going on, your a lucky guy, God bless and thanks for sharing, looks like a great and delicious day
Comment
-
This is just cool and I’m sure is a great memory for everyone involved. We do an annual cider pressing and I know it is a hit here no matter the age of the participants.Comment
-
What a great family tradition and one your grandchildren will always remember. Hope they continue to pass on the knowledge too! Well done.Comment
-
Family time is the best time. This winter you'll have a great meal ready made. Chili is not chili with out the beans!Comment
-
That is really awesome! Thanks for sharing the tradition and photos!Comment
-
That was a TON of fun and I'm sure a lot of satisfaction at the end of the day.
Thanks for sharing with us.Comment
-
-
That is AWESOME!!! We do something similar with my in-laws... it rotates every year between apple butter, pumpkin butter, and a veggie soup... they make can, jar, freeze enough for a couple of years and repeat. The traditions are cool and make lasting memories.
We are supposed to be doing something similar with a veggie beef soup with the copper kettle yet this fall... I will post some pics of that too when it happens.Comment
-
Great to have family traditions going. It always amazes me what the kids and grand kids remember as they get older. One granddaughter said she always fondly remember I always have good root beer to drink. Priceless.Comment
-
This is fantastic!Comment
-
-
What a marvelous tradition--I really enjoyed seeing the photo of the young granddaughter stirring that very old pot. What a perfectly encapsulated memory for her.
KathrynComment
Comment