Canning is a great way to help you eat locally all year round. Not only is it sustainable, as local foods require less transportation and thus less CO2 to be delivered to you, but also is extremely nutritious. Often times, canned foods from the store lack nutrients, and chemicals from the can itself can leak into those foods. After Consumer Reports tested of a variety of different commercially canned foods, “they found that almost all of these contained BPA, including some that were labeled ‘BPA-free.” However canning at home removes this risk, and also preserves the nutrients better as the food items are much less processed. Canning is also more financially sound, as purchasing fruits and vegetables when they are in season is much more cost effective then doing so out of season. Thus being able to efficiently preserve those fruits and vegetables allows you to use them cheaply throughout the year!
From a range of sweet, sour, or savory, you can pick a variety of foods to can. The cans you make also serve as great gifts! Tie a ribbon around the head of the mason jar, and give your friends some delicious jam or applesauce for the holidays. Here are some steps to take to ensure the healthy, safe, and delicious preservation of your favorite produce, as well as some recipes.
The first things to invest in are:
- A Pressure Canner- used for meats, vegetables, poultry, and fish. Helps keep items low- acidity
- Boiling Water Canner- creates the pressure to ensure the sealing of the jars!
- Nick-free Mason Jars- use glass mason jars! They often times come in bulk, providing a price efficient option if your planning to do a lot of canning. If you are using old mason jars, inspect them for nicks and cracks as they can prevent the correct sealing of the jar during the process, or may explode when heated or boiled under pressure.
- Flat lids- often come with purchased mason jars and help ensure a tight seal. Do not reuse flat lids of canning, as they will not seal correctly, and your items may perish.
- Screw bands – also often come with new mason jars. If you have old ones, they are re-usable if they are not rusted or bent.
The Rochester Public Market runs all year so you can go grab some local veggies and fruits to can before the cold moths arrive and begin your canning processes. For quick reference instructions on an easy, abbreviated canning method, click here and get started!
Below are some assorted links to a wide variety of recipes, illustrating the versatility of canning!
Cauliflower Soup with Leeks and Cheddar
For more recipes, help on canning procedures, and canning FAQ, check out this blog.
“Preserving is an extension of the values that made you shop in the farmers’ market in the first place,” says Eugenia Bone, an established food writer. So can your food at home for nutritious, delicious, and sustainable addition to your lifestyle all year round.
Article by: Julie Elliot, class of 2015
Photo courtesy of An assortment of colorful jams, jellies, and pickled products at the Shreveport Farmers’ Market in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. For more information, visit www.shreveportfarmersmarket.com.
A pressure canner is something I’ve been looking into lately. I do make tons of food and a lot have been wasted due to me not eating fast enough. I’d love to be able to can some food and even give them out to friends. Thanks for letting me know this is an option!