Home Canning
Usually the traditional ways of doings are wonderful to explore. But not for home canning. It's important to use up-to-date canning recipes and instructions. Improperly canned food can spoil and cause serious illness. Missouri's Extension Service explains why using an old family canning recipe might not be such a good idea.
Jarden Home Brands, the company that makes Ball and Kerr canning jars, has an extensive home canning site. You'll find step-by-step canning instructions for low-acid foods like meats, seafood and most vegetables and for high-acid foods such as fruits, tomatoes with added acids, pickles and jams. They also have a collection of recipes to try. To browse through their recipes, just pick a category and hit enter or click on the "find it" button. Jarden has a Canadian version too.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation has the latest research from the USDA and the Cooperative Extension Service. You can find information on:
- Canning basics
- Canning fruits and fruit products such as juice, pie fillings, syrup and sauce
- Making Jams and Jellies
- Preserving meat, poultry, fish
- Nuts and peanuts
- Pickles
- Dill Pickles and sauerkraut
- Salsa
- Canning tomatoes and tomato products
- Various vegetables
- Storing canned foods
Penn State offers free access to their searchable online food preservation database. They also have the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning