Preserving Food at Home FACS Standards 8.6.1, 8.6.2, Kowtaluk, Helen and Orphanos Kopan, Alice. Food For Today. McGraw Hill – Glencoe

Advantages of Home Preserving Way to stretch food dollar Spend time together and work together Ready source of food

Methods of Home Preserving Freezing, canning, drying Method you use depends on personal preference and equipment available If you don’t grow own food, can buy fresh produce at market, farmer’s market

Use ripe, high-quality food Freezing and canning do not improve food’s quality Wash food carefully and prepare according to directions, keeping cleanliness and food safety in mind

Freezing Many fruits can be frozen Pears, oranges, and bananas do not freeze well; applesauce freezes better than apples If fruit does not go through enzymatic browning – most berries, melons, pineapple, cherries – simply dry-pack

Dry-pack means place prepared fruit on cookie sheet, leaving space between fruits and place in freezer Once frozen solid, place fruits in labeled and dated freezer package

If freezing fruit that darkens – apples, figs, peaches, nectarines, plums – either Sprinkle with ready-to-use ascorbic acid and dry-pack OR Toss fruit in sugar until well coated and freeze

Freezing Vegetables Vegetables must be blanched before freezing Blanching kills enzymes Tomatoes do not need to be blanched Work with 1 pound of vegetables at a time

Place vegetables in strainer and immerse in boiling water; when water returns to rolling boil, begin timing Time depends on type of vegetable and size of pieces The larger the pieces, the longer the blanching time

When time complete, remove strainer and plunge into ice water until completely cool Drain vegetables on clean, dry towels and pat dry Pack into containers and freeze

Can blanch vegetables in the microwave Times similar to stove top times, so not a time saver

Canning Produce Contact local cooperative extension service office for latest information on canning methods Have up-to-date recipes, equipment, and instructions Don’t take shortcuts or change recipes

Salt and sugar are preservatives For lower sugar and sodium foods, find those types of recipes

Jars and Lids Use only jars made for home canning Must be in perfect condition Lid used only once; ring can be used more often If filled jars are to be heated more than 10 minutes, they don’t have to be pre- sterilized; others should be

Processing the Food Food needs to be heated to stop enzyme activity and kill harmful microorganisms 2 heating methods – Water-bath canning – Pressure canning

Water-bath canning – for high-acid foods – fruits and most tomatoes Pressure canning – vegetables and other low-acid foods – like pressure cooker only bigger; heats to temperatures above boiling point to kill harmful microorganisms

Packing Methods Raw-pack jars place raw food in jars and pour boiling syrup, water, or juice in jar leaving ½” – 1” headspace; run knife around jar and between food pieces to remove air bubbles; wipe jar top clean; apply lid and screw metal band/ring on tightly by hand

Hot-pack method – heat food in liquid; then pack into jars; leave ½ - 1” headspace; run knife around jar and between food pieces to remove air bubbles; clean jar top; place lid and ring on jar, turning to hand tight

Hot-Pack method

Processing Methods Process food by one of recommended methods Do not process canned food in microwave or conventional ovens

Fruits After packing fruit into jars, process in boiling water in a water-bath canner for time directed in recipe

Jams and fruit spreads Process jars in boiling water in water- bath canner for time specified in recipe Do not seal with paraffin – does not make a tight seal

Vegetables Process jars in pressure canner

After processing, cool jars on a rack of clean dish towel away from drafts until completely cool, usually 12 hours

Check to make sure jars are sealed – tap lid; if hollow or lid moves, jar is not sealed; if lid does not move and clear, ringing sound, jar is sealed Store in clean, cool, dry place

Before eating home canned foods, boil for minutes to be certain any harmful microorganisms are destroyed

Drying Food Easiest way to dry food is with a food dehydrator Follow manufacturer’s instructions Fruits, vegetables, granola, and beef jerky can be easily made at home