Growing up my mom canned tomatoes and stewed tomatoes and we made our own jam. I remember my grandma canned meat and I thought that was just so gross (but it tasted great).
I have helped my mom can, so I know how to do it, but my hubby has a passion for canning that is a little obsessive. He and my dad bought jars last year and we canned all sorts of things, from carrots, potatoes, applesauce, peaches. They bought jars without coupons (gasp).
This year, we have more of a plan on things we will can. Potatoes will be a top priority. They are easy to can and makes meals so much faster (and great for crock pot cooking and mashed potatoes fast). Carrots, again with the crock pot cooking and soups. Peas something new for us this year, I’m not a fan of them, so I’m not sure what we will do with them once canned (Christmas gifts?). Beets I guess this is something for hubby will be canning, again not a fan (Birthday gifts perhaps?)
We will also attempt to can corn, and fruits as we find them and make jam.
We use our Ball Canning book for recipes and tips on what to do. It’s the book my grandma and mom use too. We recently picked up a copy of Taste of Home that was specific to canning and preserves. It was jam packed with lots of canning recipes that were unusual. We got it a Sam’s Club, so check there or you local store for it (was about $7 at Sams)
I found another Taste of Home book on Amazon, that was about canning, cooking and freezing. We freeze fruits and veggies, but those will have a shorter shelf life, so use those first!
I’m getting psychic’d to can now to reap the benefits the rest of the year. Now to get that new kitchen in the basement. Adding this to my list of things to do with money saved from couponing.
Canning does save a ton of money! What will you be canning this year?
Twitter: blissfulbeet
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We preserve veggies all the time. Canning is an acquired taste but we can jams and watermelon rind pickles. My mother-in-law makes labne for the whole year. I will be making pickled veggies this year!
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I have not canned watermelon rind before, never tried it and I’m sooo picky. How do you make it?
Twitter: carlabkaram
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Love this post… Sounds silly but I am getting ready to can myself, so I share in your excitement. My mom and I are doing it for the first time, so thank you so much for the tips and welcome more. Blessings.
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I love canning! Both grandmothers canned, but my mom did not. I was too little when my grandmothers canned, so I basically had no one to learn from. The Ball Blue Book is fantastic!
Yep, canning is Cantastic!
Blessings,
Marcia
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Twitter: ClubContent
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My mom always canned, and I haven’t picked it up myself. I don’t know what it is?
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Twitter: thoughtsnsuch
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My mom, aunt and grandmother can all the time. I watched them and I ate what they canned, but have never tried it myself. I have always wanted to, but they do such a good job and I have been lazy about it.
One thing my mother made and canned was apple butter. Have you ever had it? It is delicious! I would love to make and can apple butter and pickles. I am going to look at the books you posted above and see. Who knows maybe I will get motivated to try canning. Thanks!
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I have heard of apple butter and it’s delicious! My grandma was a great canner and she taught my mom some, and my mom read a lot and I’m getting into canning. My hubby is the main canner in my family. It’s a great tradition to learn now and it can save you a ton of money.
My mom used to can from our garden all the time. I live in the city and don’t quite have the fresh grown bounty she had. One year our crab apple tree went crazy with fruit and my mom made a ton of apple butter. The tartness of the crab apples made it truly delicious.
Oh Apple Butter sounds delicious! My mom hasn’t made that since I was a kid. I’ll have to find a recipe!
I’d love for you to do a post about buying a pressure cooker for canning –size, what model you think is good etc. It’s hard to find this info on the we and don’t really know what to buy specifically for canning t
I will add that to my list of things to cover Tami. We bought 2 of this Canner from Presto at Amazon last year and love.
You would also want to get an canning rack so you can can 2 levels of pints in the canner, doubling your capacity to get canning done faster.