Today’s economy continues to steer interest in home food preservation, and successful home canning requires only that you observe simple guidelines.
While home canning can be an ambitious undertaking, it does not always have to be. After all, home canning can be enjoyed by the whole family. From harvesting fruits and vegetables in the family garden to preparing food for canning, to processing, labeling and storing jars, home canning provides something for everyone. Plus, home canning instills a pride of family accomplishment while serving a vital need: putting food on the family’s table.
It also saves money. For every quart of garden-fresh fruits or vegetables preserved, you’ll need one less can of expensive, processed food from the grocery store.
Finally, home canning is a lifetime pursuit. The best and safest way to start is by using up-to-date home canning recipes from your local office of Cornell Cooperative Extension, from reliable tested resources such as So Easy to Preserve 5th Edition, Cooperative Extension, University of Georgia; The Ball Blue Book - Guide to Home Canning, Freezing and Dehydratino; or from the National Center for Home Food Preservation website www.homefoodpreservation.org
HOME CANNER’S QUESTIONS
Q. Why can’t I use my great-grandmother’s old canning recipes?
A. Through the years, home canning methods and techniques are constantly tested and improved to assure the safest, most effective way of processing food. Note the changes in food varieties, soil conditions, the bacterial load involved, and modern appliances such as the weighted gauge canners and digitl timers and controls. Older recipes should be exchanged for the latest, up-to-date, research-based recipes from reliable resources recommended by Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Q. How can I determine how much food to preserve for my family for the year?
A. Remember, be realistic. Most of us like to enjoy fruits and vegetables while they’re fresh. You’ll really only need to preserve enough quantities to last 8 or 9 months-- not 12 months worth. Resources will help you make decisions about your family’s needs.
Resource: Cindy Shuster, Associate Professor, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Perry County, Ohio State University; revised by Judy Price and Katherine Humphrey, NYS Food Preservation Experts, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 5/2009.
