It begins with the right equipment.
Having a safe canning experience begins with choosing the right equipment. If you've been given older equipment from a friend or relative, be sure to take it to your local Extension office for testing. It's essential that the gauge is functioning properly so that food is heated to the correct temperature.
What's Cooking Video Series
- Why Can Produce?: Check out the benefits of canning your own produce.
- Canning Equipment: Get an overview of what equipment and supplies you will need for canning at home.
- Canning Jars: They may be pretty, but not all jars are appropriate for canning.
- Freezing Equipment: Make a list of equipment you need for freezing fruits and vegetables.
Freezing
Freezing is a quick and convenient way to make your fruits and vegetables last well past harvest. When you freeze food correctly, it pauses the aging process and locks in the nutritional value, preserving the fresh-food goodness for a long time. Freezing also helps reduce food waste. If you bought too much, don't toss it away; instead, take a few minutes to freeze and save for later.
- Freezing Blueberries: Start with firm, ripe blueberries, spread them on a tray, and then place them in the freezer for a quick freeze before bagging.
- Freezing Strawberries: Don't cut the stem before you wash the berries.
- Freezing Peaches: Score peaches at the bottom, slide them into boiling water, slide them into ice-cold water, and remove the skin.
- Freezing Green Beans: Start by snapping off the stem end, then snap into inch-long pieces. Don't forget to blanch.
Canning
Canning is a great way to preserve food to enjoy throughout the year. Keep your family safe by learning proper canning methods in an easy-to-understand way.