From Harvest to Table Presented by Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Grayson Technical High School

Gardening An outdoor classroom opportunity -Integrates: –-Math –-Science –History –Problem solving –Preservation Methods

Harvesting your Garden An Indoor classroom opportunity: –Recipe Development –Proper Cooking Methods –Preservation Methods

Easy Harvest Kitchen labs Cold Packed Tomatoes Infused Oils Infused Vinegars Pickles Relishes Pickled Peppers

Infused Herb Oils & Vinegars Ingredients 6 leaves fresh basil 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 sprigs fresh oregano 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

Infused Herb Oils & Vinegars Directions: Place basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and olive oil in a medium sauce pan. Over low heat, bring oil to the first simmer. Remove from heat and Cool completely. Remove herbs from pan and place in sterilized bottle. Pour oil into the bottle. Seal and store in refrigerator. Use within 3 weeks.

Canning and Preserving The acidity (pH) of a food is of great significance in determining the type of processing required for safe preservation of a food. In the case of pickled products, the foods preserved are often low-acid foods (cucumbers, zucchini), but their acidity is adjusted to bring the pH into the high-acid range so that may be safely preserved using boiling water bath processing.

pH Level

Salt - Salt is a natural preservative which inhibits the growth of molds and bacteria. -It literally pulls the life-sustaining moisture from those harmful bodies, making them unable to grow or reproduce. When used as a condiment or ingredient, it brightens food flavors and facilitates a balance between sweetness and acidity by decreasing the sourness of acid and increasing the sweetness of sugar.

Vinegar The most commonly used acid for pickling is vinegar. Vinegar needs to be of sufficient strength to assure that low-acid vegetables will be appropriately acidic. The vinegar should be 5 to 6% acetic acid (50 to 60 grain), and should not be diluted except according to an approved recipe.

Brainstorming Garden Styles Garden styles? –Traditional –Raised –Pots What to Grow? -Herbs -Tomatoes -Peppers

Q & A