For many year’s people have been canning produce from summer. In fact, this has been a way of life for decades. Canning tips have been handed down through the years. Self sustaining their food supply was not their back up plan, but their only plan. In the past people worked their gardens all summer to have a full harvest to can. They had dedicated cellars to hold the canned goods in each year. In fact, they would can so much that it became a lifestyle. I have heard stories of people canning even when all of their children had grown up.
Furthermore, they canned enough to barter in case they needed flour, or other home supplies. Grocery stores were not the place to depend on, but shopped less regularly due to demand. Now, we are so reliant on canned goods.
I have a video on my reasons and background of canning tomatoes and other vegetables. Growing up though, my mom canned grapes and tomato juice religiously. It wasn’t until I was grown with children of my own that I decided to re-visit the old fashioned art of food preservation.
Canning is Practical
Almost all fruits and vegetables are able to be canned. Canning provides nutritious foods for your family without the harsh chemicals in canned goods from the store. Utilizing this age old method of food preservation is great for big families and small.
Likewise, canning is a good way to preserve food from the garden in the summer. Accumulation of various canning tips opens the options for moms who have this new hobby. Using this method, as a mom I have found comfort from food preservation. It makes me feel good to have grown my cucumbers, then harvested them, and preserved them for my family. Canning is easy to learn, but no wiggle room for creativity.
Safe Canning Methods for a Suburban Homestead
Canning is a safe way to preserve foods, but the recipe has to be followed. Not following a recipe can cause spoilage. Spoiled food is dangerous. Eating anything that looks bad is not a good idea and the canned food should be thrown out.
Seeing full shelves of my spaghetti sauce this winter was satisfying. I didn’t have to worry that there would be no spaghetti sauce for us, because I harvested our tomatoes. In addition to comfort, the important part of canning is the fact that if electricity goes out then no poser. No power means freezers stop working. We don’t like our food freeze dried, so we can. Canning works in any kind of weather.
There is a sense of accomplishment when finished with a canning project of zucchini or salsa, but to keep it safe all winter they need to be stored in a cool, dark place like a closet that doesn’t get a ton of light. Using a backroom that does not get a lot of sunlight will allow the produce to last longer.
The first canning tips is to always wash the mason jars well before canning. I have a specific process where I wash the jars, and let them air dry on a towel. Next, I run a sinful of hot water and let the jars soak in it while I process the food. I have my lids laid out separately on another clean towel. My hands don’t really touch anything where the food will be. I do attach the lids, but I use a magnet to pick them up.
Canning Food is Healthy
Home canning is healthy because you know exactly what you are putting into your canned goods. No preservatives, dyes or chemicals. Our bodies thrive without sugars, preservatives and are meant to process food in a natural state. Processed canned goods from the store cause more harm than good. I’m not saying that we don’t have any canned goods from the store, but we don’t have a lot. I do have some cases of canned goods as a back up.
Canning saves money. Canning allows for you to be allergy specific or pay attention to diet needs. Less sugar or sodium. Utilizing this old fashioned method gives the comfort of self preservation. Everything is done by your own hands.
I like to can my foods also because my stomach has become more picky over the years’. Through certain recipes I am able to eat spaghetti and chili sauce again because they are organic. All of the chemicals from processed foods turned my stomach into a mess.
If you have never tried it, follow along for the next few months as I begin my canning series. You might end up liking it as a fun hobby! Follow me on Instagram @momsarefrugal or sign up for my newsletter!
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