Appliance-Free Food Storage: A Guide to Home Canning

Canning is a fun and economical way to preserve and consume food right in the comfort of your home. Outside of personal labor costs, canning foods can be one of the most cost effective ways to preserve food, especially if the food is homegrown. If fruits and vegetables are canned immediately following harvest, they can also be more nutritious than the fresh produce sold at grocery stores, despite the natural loss of nutrients that occurs during the canning process. Canning foods can make sure that surplus produce grown in home gardens does not go to waste, and in today’s current climate of watching what one eats, it can provide the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly where the food has been.

Directions for Canning

While different foods require different canning procedures, some basics can apply to almost any food item that can be canned. For hot water bath canning, which is good for acidic foods, begin by thoroughly washing jars, jar pieces and utensils that will be used in the canning process in very hot, soapy water and carefully inspect the jars for any cracks or defects. Then place the jars and screw rings into a large pot and fill it completely with water, raising the heat to medium-high until it simmers. Prepare the food according to the recipe, being careful to only use food that is at the peak of freshness. Then, fill the jars with a funnel and ladle, leaving about a half inch of space between the food and the top of the jar.

Wipe the edges of the jar clean, screw a lid to the jar and place the filled jar back in the pot. Increase the heat to high, until the water boils, and leave the jar in the pot according to the recipe. After this, turn off the heat and allow the jars to sit in the hot water for five minutes before removing them and allowing them to sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Finally, test the seal of the jar by removing the lid ring and pushing into the center – if the lid pops up, it is not properly sealed and needs to be stored in the fridge.

While fruits and tomatoes can be safely canned using the water bath method, meats and most vegetables require pressure canning. Standard water bath canning cannot reach the temperature needed to can these foods, which can lead to food safety issues. Pressure canner prices can range from $80 to $300, and typically require the same steps as water bath canning, including washing and inspecting utensils, filling the jars and testing the seal.

Fruit

• Canning Fruit Facts Provides quick, easy tips on canning fruits.
• Canning Fruits Correctly Provides safety information and precautions to take when canning fruit.
• Basics for Canning Fruit Provides a general outline of how to can fruit safely.
• Canning Fruit Recipes Provides easy and delicious recipes for canning fruits.

Tomatoes and Salsa

• Canning Tomatoes Step by Step This article gives detailed information on canning tomatoes.
• Canning Tomatoes Provides detailed instructions, with photos, for canning tomatoes along with several recipes.
• Salsa Recipes for Canning This article details the best kinds of peppers and tomatoes to use for canning salsa, as well as offers several recipes.
• Spaghetti Sauce for Canning This recipe gives a near fool-proof recipe for a spaghetti sauce to can at home.

Vegetables

• Safe Methods of Canning Vegetables This article provides details on all the safety precautions one needs to take when canning vegetables.
• Selecting and Preparing Vegetables for Canning This provides a list of vegetables that can be canned, how to do so and recipes for preparation.
• Canning Vegetables This site provides details on how to prepare and can several different types of vegetables.
• How Canning Works Provides background information on the process of canning vegetables and how it works.

Meat and Poultry

• Canning Meat the Right Way An article detailing the proper way to can meat and poultry.
• What to Can Provides information on what types of meats can be canned and how to do so.
• Meat Canning Safety This article details how to handle and can meat properly to avoid bacteria growth.
• Canning Any Meat Provides detailed information and recipes for canning any kind of meat, poultry or fish.
• Meat Canning Training Provides very detailed tips, tricks and directions for canning meat in several different ways.

Pickles

• Science of Canning This article offers detailed information on canning pickles.
• Canning Dill Pickles Provides step by step instructions, with a recipe, for dill pickles.
• Sweet Pickles Provides recipes and instructions on making and canning sweet pickles.
• Making Pickles: Step-by-step guide to the basics of canning picking.

Jellies and Jams

• Canning Supplies Provides a list of supplies needed to safely can jellies and jams.
• Canning Tips This article offers tips for beginning and more advanced canners, and a recipe for spiced tomato jam.
• Top Grape Jelly Recipes This site offers several tasty recipes for grape jelly.
• Strawberry Preserves A quick and simple recipe for perfect strawberry preserves.

Canning Safety

While canning can be a cost saving and satisfying home project, it is not without its risks. Botulism, a rare but life threatening bacteria, can develop in canned foods if they are not handled properly. It is very important to make sure that, whether using a water bath or pressure canner, the required temperatures are met to ensure food safety and quality. It is also important to keep any items, including hands, that are used in the canning process as clean as possible. Make sure to purchase well-made canning supplies, and always test lids after they have sat for 24 hours to make sure that the jar is sealed properly. Following these safety tips can ensure that both the canning process and consumption of home-made canned goods is as safe as it is enjoyable.