Canning. Ensures quality meals and flavor, saves money
Preserving food through the process of canning at home is an ancient tradition…
Preserving food at home through the process of canning is an ancient tradition.
The process is simple and involves heating the food contained in a closed glass jar in such a way as to interrupt the natural decomposition of the food due to the presence of various microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, molds and enzymes.
The method used to preserve depends on the acidity of the food
Some foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are high acid foods and require heat treatment around 100°C.
Others, such as meats and vegetables, are low-acid foods and must be treated at a slightly higher temperature (around 115°C) to prevent spoilage.
The simplest way to prepare canned foods at home is by bain-marie.
Jars filled with acidic foods such as berries, tomatoes or pickled cucumbers are covered with lids and boiled in an open pot of water until a seal forms under the lid.
The heat of boiling pushes the air out of the pot, creating a vacuum.
The acidic environment and lack of oxygen prevent harmful bacteria from forming.
A more advanced preservation technique is pressure cooking, which is used primarily for low-acid foods.
The pressure cooker is a specially designed airtight system that prevents steam from escaping and raises the temperature inside the container to the required level. Pressure canning can be used to preserve a wide variety of foods.
Safe canning requires the right amount of heat for the right amount of time, careful preparation of the food to be canned, and precise salt/sugar and acidity levels.
Basic equipment
Setting up a home canning system is easy.
The basic equipment is inexpensive and readily available.
The tools you will need are :
Jars and containers
A large pot for food preparation
A deep pot with lid and basket for high-acid foods, or a pressure cooker for low-acid foods
Spoons and cups for measuring portions
Tongs, a jar lifter, and a funnel
The process of preserving is not difficult.
It starts with gathering the best and freshest foods to preserve.
Then you need to follow these simple steps :
Make sure you have all your ingredients and tools
Fill the pot with water and bring to a boil
Clean and sterilize jars in boiling water
Soak the lids in hot water until needed
Prepare ingredients and fill jars
Clean the rims and screw on the lids
Boil jars as long as needed
Allow to cool for 24 hours
Preserving food using the canning method ensures quality meals and flavor, saves money, and helps build a food supply.
A family that invests time in home canning will have extra food for the winter and be prepared for possible emergencies.
