You can preserve foods inexpensively by using canning, freezing, or drying techniques. Modern-day food preservation methods, such as water-bath canning, help you can and preserve with ease. After you understand the basic procedures for a food preservation method, you’ll just need to concentrate on preparing your recipe.
About canning food
Canning is the process of applying heat to food that’s sealed in a jar in order to destroy any microorganisms that can cause food spoilage. Proper canning techniques stop this spoilage by heating the food for a specific period of time and killing these unwanted microorganisms. During the canning process, air is driven from the jar and a vacuum is formed as the jar cools and seals.
Although you may hear of many canning methods, only two are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These are water-bath canning and pressure canning:
Water-bath canning: This method, sometimes referred to as hot water canning, uses a large kettle of boiling water. Filled jars are submerged in the water and heated to an internal temperature of 212 degrees for a specific period of time. Use this method for processing high-acid foods, such as fruit, items made from fruit, pickles, pickled food, and tomatoes.
Pressure canning: Pressure canning uses a large kettle that produces steam in a locked compartment. The filled jars in the kettle reach an internal temperature of 240 degrees under a specific pressure (stated in pounds) that’s measured with a dial gauge or weighted gauge on the pressure-canner cover. Use a pressure canner for processing vegetables and other low-acid foods, such as meat, poultry, and fish.
About freezing food
Freezing foods is the art of preparing, packaging, and freezing foods at their peak of freshness. You can freeze most fresh vegetables and fruits, meats and fish, breads and cakes, and clear soups and casseroles. The keys to freezing food are to make sure it’s absolutely fresh, that you freeze it as quickly as possible, and that you keep it at a proper frozen temperature (0 degrees).
Here are three things to help you avoid freezer burn:
Reduce exposure to air: Wrap food tightly.
Avoid fluctuating temperatures: Keep the freezer closed as much as possible. Know what you want to remove before opening the door.
Don’t overfill your freezer: An overly full freezer reduces air circulation and speeds freezer damage.
About drying food
Drying is the oldest method known for preserving food. When you dry food, you expose the food to a temperature that’s high enough to remove the moisture but low enough that it doesn’t cook. Good air circulation assists in evenly drying the food.
An electric dehydrator is the best and most efficient unit for drying, or dehydrating, food. Today’s units include a thermostat and fan to help regulate temperatures much better. You can also dry food in your oven or by using the heat of the sun, but the process will take longer and produce inferior results to food dried in a dehydrator.
When canning and preserving foods, you need the right kitchen tools and utensils to do the job properly. Some of the basic food preservation tools, like a jar lifter or a lid wand, are only used for canning. Other tools, like pots, pans, and knives, are used throughout the year for everyday tasks.
The tools that make canning and preserving easier are many of the same tools that are in most well-stocked kitchens: measuring cups for dry and liquid ingredients, measuring spoons, potholders, kitchen towels and paper towels, heat-resistant rubber spatulas, vegetable peeler, lemon juicer, cutting board, and scissors for opening food packages.
Knives: You need three basic knives: a paring knife, a multipurpose knife with a 6-inch blade, and an 8- or 10-inch chef’s knife. Look for stamped or forged blades and blades made of stainless or high carbon steel.
Spoons: You need at least a couple of cooking spoons made of nonreactive metal that won’t change the taste of acidic foods they come in contact with. Look for stainless steel, anodized aluminum, glass, enameled cast iron, or wooden spoons.
Tongs: Tongs are handy for all types of kitchen chores, especially moving large pieces of food into and out of hot water. Try the spring-loaded variety in different lengths.
Ladle: Use a ladle that’s heatproof with a good pouring spout.
Box grater: A box grater gives you four or more options for shredding and grating.
Timer: Choose a timer that’s easy to read, easy to set, and loud enough to hear if you leave the room.
Potato masher: This makes quick work of smashing your cooked fruits or vegetables.
Melon baller: With a melon baller, you can easily remove the seeds from a halved cucumber without having the seeds end up all over your kitchen.
Corer: This tool removes apple cores without damaging the fruit and is a real timesaver.
Waterproof pens and markers: Select ones that don’t rub off.
