Use Your House: Food Preservation
Canning, drying, and freezing are ideal ways to preserve a summer harvest. In the dead of winter, you'll be able to bypass the produce section if your freezer and pantry are stocked with fruits and vegetables stored from your own garden.
Ball, a major manufacturer of canning supplies, offers an informative website at freshpreserving.com with canning guides, recipes, and a range of products.
Pick Your Own has an extensive website covering all aspects of canning, freezing, and drying.
Any or all three of these methods may work well for your family's individual needs and your time limitations. Don't be afraid to try something new! You may enjoy the satisfaction you'll find in feeding your family from garden to plate, even outside of the growing season.
Canning
Store-bought canned foods just cannot compare with home-canned goodness! If you have a cool, dry storage area but limited freezer space, try canning. There are two basic types of canning: the boiling water bath and pressure canning. The first is the easiest method for beginners and only requires inexpensive equipment. Cans of prepared foods are immersed in a pot of boiling water for anywhere from 5-45 minutes. Most fruits and some high-acid vegetables, such as tomatoes, can be preserved using this method. Pressure canning is used for low-acid vegetables such as beans and peppers. The pressure canner used for this method ensures that bacteria is destroyed in processing.Ball, a major manufacturer of canning supplies, offers an informative website at freshpreserving.com with canning guides, recipes, and a range of products.
Freezing
Freezing is easily the simplest way to store fruits and vegetables. To keep vegetables separate for easy portioning, spread out on cookie sheets and freeze in a single layer, then pack into large freezer bags. At prep time, you can pull out just what you need instead of having to thaw the entire bag.Drying
Some edibles, such as herbs, are very easy to dry. Just tie in bunches and hang in a cool, dry place. Fruits and vegetables can be dried in an oven turned to low heat, or placed on trays in a dehydrator. You can even try making your own fruit leathers and apple rings for tasty, healthy snacks.Pick Your Own has an extensive website covering all aspects of canning, freezing, and drying.
Any or all three of these methods may work well for your family's individual needs and your time limitations. Don't be afraid to try something new! You may enjoy the satisfaction you'll find in feeding your family from garden to plate, even outside of the growing season.