The Mason Jar proudly embraces such Southern classics ... or hot golden hush puppies gussied up with corn kernels and green bell pepper. Dark green, freshly ripped collard leaves are cooked ...

For that was the day New Jersey native John Landis Mason patented the glass jar that bears his name. Preserving food was a difficult and even risky business in the days before refrigeration.

Solar light: Using a few paper clips, suspend a tiny solar light inside the mason jar. Cut a big enough hole in the lid to make sure sunlight can reach the solar light before screwing the top back ...

most college age people now know what a Mason jar is, thanks to all those social media pages displaying ice teas or other cold beverages being served in mason jars with a paper swizzle straw and a ...