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| 2013 Canning Season: Applesauce, Apple Pie Filling, Peaches, Pickles, Tomatoes, Spaghetti Sauce, Salsa, Red Pepper Relish, Pumpkin Cake |
If you've never done any canning before but you've been thinking about giving it a try, I'm here to tell you that it's easier than you might think. I always wanted to try canning, but for one reason or another, I never did. I had never even watched anyone can before, so it was a bit of a mystery for me. I felt a little intimated by it, thinking that I wouldn't do it right, that the jars wouldn't seal, that it wouldn't turn out good, or worst of all that I'd give my family and friends food poisoning. Finally, last year, I canned for the first time. Last year I was a beginner, but this year I am an experienced canner. (That's how it is. If you've never done it, you're a beginner. If you have, you're experienced.)
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that canning is easier than I thought it would be. It does take a lot of time, but it wasn't really hard, and it turned out great! You can read my blog post about my first canning experience, which I titled "I Can Can."
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| 2012 Canning Season: Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Salsa, Red Pepper Relish, Peaches, Applesauce, Pumpkin Cake |
I enjoyed the canning experience so much that this year I expanded my repertoire. Not only that, but I planted a garden for the first time, and many of the vegetables and herbs that I used for canning were heirlooms I had grown from seed in my Kitchen Garden.
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| 2013 Canning Season: Tomatoes, Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Red Pepper Relish, Dill Pickles, Sweet Pickles, Peaches, Applesauce, Apple Pie Filling, Pumpkin Cake |
1. There are a few basic but important rules to follow that apply across the board.
2. It is important to follow tested and up-to-date recipes.
3. It's easy but does take a lot of time.
4. It is very satisfying and rewarding.
Equipment and Supplies
The first thing I would recommend that you do is to purchase a reliable canning guidebook with recipes. I purchased the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. It costs around $9.00, and I found it to be very thorough with all of the information I needed to get started.
You'll also need a canning kit. I bought the Ball 4-Piece Canning Utensil Kit that includes a jar funnel and jar tongs, a spatula and a magnetic lid lifter (about $8 for the kit). In addition, you'll need some other utensils, such as a long-handled wooden spoon, a ladle, measuring cups and spoons, and of course some canning jars (about $10 for a dozen quart-size jars).
Canning Foods with a Hot Water Canner
The Hot Water Canner Process is for acidic foods like tomatoes, fruits, and recipes with vinegar. For non-acidic foods (meats, vegetables and stews you will need a pressure canner) Follow the recipes and instructions in the canning guidebook to hot-water process the food you are preserving. It's important to use tested recipes to make sure your jars will seal properly, free of molds and bacteria that could spoil your food. You could be tempted to use an old book that your mother or grandmother used, but it is recommended you purchase an up-to-date guide. Recipes and procedures have been updated over the years in keeping with changing food sources and growing practices.
Does that all sound overwhelming or scary to you? It did to me. I was nervous about it the first time, but if you follow the basic processing rules and tested recipes, your canned goods will turn out super, and you will be so excited! To give you an idea of how it's done, here are the basic processing directions, but do be sure to get a trustworthy guide to follow.
2. Place the jars on the rack in the hot water canner. Fill with enough warm water to cover the jars. Place the lid on and bring the water to a light boil; turn down the heat and simmer for at least 10 minutes. (Note: you don't want to place the cool jars into boiling water or they might crack.) Keep the jars in the simmering water until ready to fill. (Another way to heat the jars is to run them through a hot dishwasher and keep the door closed to keep them hot until ready to use.
3. In a small sauce pan, bring some water to a simmer (180° F.) Place the lids in the simmering water for at least 10 minutes. (Don't bring the water to a boil as the higher heat can damage the seal.)
6. Lift off the funnel and wipe the rim of the jar with a clean, damp paper towel or cloth to remove any drippings which could interfere with the seal.
7. Place the lid and band on the jar and tighten just until you feel resistance. Don't twist the lid on too tightly.
8. Using the jar tongs, place the filled jar back into the simmering water. Keep the empty jars in the canner and lift and fill them one at a time, immediately putting them back in the hot water. Keeping the jars hot prevents them from cracking. Add some boiling water if necessary to cover the jars completely.
9. Put the lid on the canner and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to low and simmer for the prescribed amount of time in your recipe.
Hot Water Canner Recipes
Apple Pie Filling
Applesauce
Peaches
Pickles
Red Pepper Relish
Salsa
Tomato Sauce
Pressure Canner Recipes
Spaghetti Sauce
