So I took the plunge, and purchased the guide Patrice recommended (Putting Food By) and all of the various canning equipment.
First, I made strawberry jam. Honestly, the first time was an incredibly exhausting amount of work. I was on my feet for hours, perspiring over the steaming pot. I'm sure any experienced canner would have laughed if they'd watched me dash back and forth from the book to the jars, as the thought of killing my loved ones through botulism loomed over my head.
In the end, despite how exhausted I was, it was worth all the work. I beheld the fruits of my labor with pride: Beautiful gleaming jars filled with yummy jam.
In the following months, I made more batches of strawberry jam until I had finally achieved a jam with a flavor and viscosity I was satisfied with. I went on to enter my local fair for the first time with this jam and received an honorable mention.
From there I continued on to variations of jams, and then whole apricots, and most recently apple pie filling.
I'm still a novice, but I can't wait to delve further into the world of canning. Next item on my canning agenda: choosing a recipe for this year's fair.
Hi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI love your new blog. Very pretty.
I love canning, but am also new to it. I also was scared the first time I water bath canned. I thought the jars were going to explode in my face. I got over that in time. I still want to learn to pressure can. So I can can my own soups.
Have you ever used the book The Complete Book Of Small Batch Preserving? It's my fav. Some of the recipes can be found on the Canning Homemade blog http://www.sbcanning.com/p/canning-recipes.html
Kimberly
I don't have the book you recommended but it looks like a good book. I only make small batches so that definitely would apply to me! I wish I could do larger batches but I only have one water bath canner at the moment. Do you have a pressure canner? I hope one day to own a pressure canner (and know how to use it), but I think I'll be even more afraid of that exploding!
ReplyDeleteHi Tiffany,
DeleteMy Mom has a pressure canner, but she bought it at a garage sale. It needs to be pressure tested. I asked our friend that is the head of the Dept. of Weights and Measures, and he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. *sigh*
So now I want to find one that has the rocker thingy, because those don't need testing.
My Mom also has a smaller one for cooking meals in. Wow do they work great. She can cook a meal with frozen uncooked chicken and gravy in like 10 or 15 minutes. A great thing to have on hand when your pressed for time.
Kimberly
I would love to learn how to can, but have yet to add that to my list of talents. My mother-in-law is great at it, especially when she makes preserves from her garden. It just sounds so homey! It is definitely on my list of things to do. I'd love if you could share your recipe for strawberry jam and tips from what you've learned so far.
ReplyDeleteI will try to share some recipes I've tried and let you know how it goes as I try new things! I think strawberry jam is the only one I've mastered so far.
DeleteI have never tried making jam. it is on my "to-do" list (which is quite long). But I have had alot of success making marinara sauce and canning that. SOOOOOO much yummier and healthier than the store (because I like tastier and more natural brands than boring Ragu or Prego) but also way cheaper because I can start with the massive cans of tomatos from costco.
ReplyDeleteIvy, I'd be very interested in your recipe for marinara sauce. Canning tomatoes is next on my list, because I have a source that can give me bags fresh from the field for free. Would you be able to share it?
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