Preserving God's Abundance: 4 Time-Saving Canning Tips
Oct 14, 2016
Dear Sisters in Christ,
What a week it's been, filled with the joy of turning nature's bounty into delicious homemade delights. From apples to tomatoes, the harvest season has kept me busy. The satisfaction of growing, picking, and preserving your own food is unmatched. Here, I want to share some invaluable lessons I've learned during this fruitful journey.
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Savor the Victorio Strainer Magic for Applesauce: In my canning adventures, this little gem, discovered at a garage sale, has been an unsung hero. When crafting applesauce, start by simmering apple chunks in boiling water until they soften. Then, the magic happens – the Victorio Strainer. This ingenious contraption filters out seeds, stems, and anything but pure applesauce. It's like a kitchen wizard! Just pack the applesauce into jars and seal them using a water bath canner.
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Crack the Code to Prevent Jar Breakage: The heartbreaking sound of a jar cracking is a canner's worst nightmare. But this year, I've unlocked a secret to avoid this heartache. It's all about patience. Make sure the food or liquid you're preserving is hot when you fill the jars. When placing them in or taking them out of boiling water, do it slowly. This year I left the jars halfway submerged in the jar rack for about 5 minute before I placed them in all the way. Then I used the reverse process when taking them out. I turned off the heat, and lifted the jar rack up so that the jars were halfway submerged. Next, I left it this way for 5 minutes to cool before removing the jars.
This has dramatically reduced the amount of cracked jars I have had. A little extra care significantly reduces the chances of jar breakage. Be patient, and enjoy a smoother canning experience! -
Easiest Way to Preserve Tomatoes: When it comes to preserving tomatoes, I've found the easiest method – no cooking required! Simply remove the stems, wash the tomatoes, blend them, and freeze the puree in freezer bags. You don't need to cook them before freezing, especially when you'll be cooking them upon defrosting. I've been using this technique for years after getting the green light from the county extension office. It's safe, efficient, and yields delicious results.
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Pint-Sized Freezer Bags: Ziploc's new pint-size (2-cup) freezer bags are a game-changer. Now, you can freeze your tomatoes in smaller portions without the guilt of using larger bags. These pint-sized bags are perfect for recipes that call for a 14.5-ounce can of tomatoes. They also serve as the ideal choice for freezing one-person meal portions. Embrace these smaller bags and experience the convenience they offer.
With these tips, may you enjoy the abundant blessings from your harvest and preserve them with ease. Happy canning!
With gratitude for a bounteous harvest,
Tamara K. Anderson
