Hey there, my sweet friend! Selina here, inviting you into the heart of my homestead kitchen, where I’m sharing practical tips to cook and live from scratch. Today, I’m beyond excited to share with you the transformative journey of pressure canning—a remarkable technique that has helped our family make the most of our garden goodies.
As someone deeply passionate about eating in-season produce, I’ve discovered that pressure canning is much more than just a method of food preservation. It’s a beautiful dance with nature, a profound expression of gratitude for its abundance, and a commitment to a lifestyle of self-reliance and sustainability. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener with years of harvests under your belt or a newcomer eager to reduce your dependency on store-bought goods, pressure canning opens up a world of possibilities for enriching your kitchen adventures.
Why Pressure Can?
The beauty of pressure canning lies in its ability to extend the shelf life of the foods we love. By harnessing the power of pressure and heat, we effectively eliminate food spoilage organisms, making it a safe bet for keeping our beloved produce and meats. Imagine enjoying your garden’s green beans, homemade chicken stock, or that savory beef stew any time of the year—pressure canning makes this dream a reality.
At its core, pressure canning is about safely preserving the food we grow or source, allowing us to enjoy the fruits of our labor all year round. This method uses high-pressure steam to process low-acid foods, such as meats, vegetables, and some fruits, at temperatures beyond boiling water. This is crucial for eliminating botulism bacteria and other pathogens, ensuring our jars of homemade goodness are safe to savor long after they’ve been sealed.
It’s simply a practical way to enjoy our produce all year long – and it’s easier than you’d think with the right tools.
How It All Started For Me…
My own journey with pressure canning began as I delved deeper into the world of homesteading, driven by a desire to nourish my family with the cleanest, most nutritious foods possible. I quickly learned that to truly embrace this way of life, I needed to extend the harvest and capture the peak freshness and flavor of each season in a jar.
Embracing pressure canning has been a journey of skill-building, patience, and discovery. Each batch of jars that comes out of the canner represents not just food for the coming months, but a story—a memory of sunny days tending the garden, of laughter shared over bubbling pots of jam, and of the quiet satisfaction that comes from stocking the pantry shelves.
Preparing to Preserve: Gathering Your Tools
From choosing a reliable pressure canner to understanding the importance of quality jars and the nuances of each recipe, I’ll share what I’ve gained through years of trial, error, and triumph. We’ll explore not just the how-tos, but the whys behind each step, empowering you to approach pressure canning with confidence and creativity.
Nourishing Through the Seasons
Imagine opening a jar of golden broth in the depths of winter, its warmth reminding you of summer’s bounty, or savoring the tang of pickled vegetables long after the garden has been put to rest. These are the moments that make pressure canning so rewarding—a true celebration of the cycle of life, of sustenance, and of the simple joys that come from living from scratch.
So, I invite you to join me in this exploration of pressure canning. Whether you’re looking to preserve your garden’s harvest, reduce waste, or simply bring a taste of tradition into your modern kitchen, this guide is for you. Together, we’ll embark on a journey that promises not just jars of delicious, homemade food, but a deeper appreciation for the abundance that surrounds us and the hands that nurture it from soil to table. Let’s get canning!
What You’ll Need For Pressure Canning
Embarking on your pressure canning adventure requires a few essential tools:
- Pressure Canner: Unlike a pressure cooker, a pressure canner is specifically designed for canning, with features to regulate pressure accurately. For beginners, I highly recommend the Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner. It’s user-friendly, spacious, and a reliable companion in my canning escapades.
- Canning Jars: Mason jars with matching lids and bands are your best friends. Ensure they’re in good condition, free from any cracks or chips.
- Canning Tools: Invest in a jar lifter, lid lifter, canning funnel, bubble remover/headspace tool, and a magnetic lid wand. These tools ensure safety and ease throughout the process.
Pressure Canning: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Preparation: Start by preparing your food according to your chosen recipe. In my “Staples Made Simple” guide, I walk you through various canning-friendly recipes, like my bone broth and apple sauce, that are perfect for beginners.
- Filling the Jars: Fill your sterilized jars with the prepared food, leaving the appropriate headspace as specified in your recipe. Remove any air bubbles by running a clean spatula or bubble remover around the inside edge of the jar.
- Sealing: Wipe the rims of the jars clean, place the lids on, and screw the bands on finger-tight. It’s crucial not to over-tighten, as the air must escape during the canning process to create a vacuum seal.
- Canning: Place the jars in the pressure canner, add water according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and lock the lid in place. Heat until steam flows from the vent in a steady stream, then close the vent and continue heating to build pressure to the correct PSI for your recipe and altitude.
- Processing Time: Once the correct pressure is reached, start your timer. The processing time will depend on the food you’re canning and your elevation—consult a trusted guide for specifics.
- Cooling Down: After the processing time is complete, turn off the heat and let the canner cool down naturally. This step is vital for safety and ensuring the integrity of your canned goods.
- Storage: Once the canner is cool, carefully remove the jars and let them cool on a towel or cooling rack. Check the seals, label your jars with the contents and the date, and store them in a cool, dark place.
Recipes and Tips
Bone Broth: Rich, nutritious, and a kitchen staple, my bone broth recipe is ideal for pressure canning. It’s not only a delicious base for soups and stews but also a warm, comforting drink on its own.
Apple Sauce: My simple yet delightful apple sauce recipe transforms your harvest into a versatile pantry must-have. Enjoy it as a snack, dessert topping, or baking ingredient throughout the year.
Safety First: Always prioritize safety by following your pressure canner’s manual and adhering to up-to-date canning guidelines. Remember, pressure canning is a science, so sticking to tested recipes and procedures is key to success.
Pressure canning has been a game-changer in my journey towards self-sufficiency and food security. It empowers us to preserve the abundance of our gardens and local farms, ensuring we have access to healthy, homemade food all year round. With the right tools, a bit of practice, and a heart full of patience, you too can master
As we wrap up our journey into the world of pressure canning, I want to extend an invitation to explore even further with my comprehensive guide, “Staples Made Simple.” This lovingly crafted guide is a treasure trove of over 100+ recipes and detailed tutorials that embody the spirit of homesteading and self-sufficiency. From the basics of scratch cooking to advanced preserving techniques, “Staples Made Simple” is designed to be your companion in the kitchen, guiding you through each season with practical advice, heartfelt stories, and invaluable tips.
Available for download or in print, “Staples Made Simple” invites you to dive in, mark up the pages, and make it truly your own. Whether you’re looking for the confidence to try your hand at sourdough, the know-how to fill your pantry with homemade jams, or the guidance to master the art of pressure canning, this guide has it all. It’s more than just a cookbook—it’s a journey towards a more sustainable, flavorful, and connected way of life.
Ebook Version: Staples Made Simple (100+ Recipes + More)!
In this recipe guide I will walk you through how you can transform your kitchen with ease and simplicity. Inspiring you to make healthy and nutritious alternatives to your everyday food staples, while replacing grocery store products with delicious from-scratch recipes. Food staples like: ketchup, pizza dough, ice cream, healthy kids snacks, buttermilk ranch dressing,…