An Unusual Gift and Some Canning Tips: Dreams of Summer Harvest

My best friend's birthday was last weekend. I took her to lunch at a local restaurant and was giddy to watch her open her birthday present. I went a completely different direction than the sweet things such as candles and candy we usually give each other.

She had mentioned to me a month or so ago that she wished she knew how to can. She grows a plentiful garden every summer, and she's been freezing everything. It's a fine way to preserve food, but freezer space is limited. Her statement planted some seeds in my mind.

I thought about this for a while and decided to buy her a book on boiling bath canning for beginners. Then, I went shopping and picked up a case of canning jars with flats and rings. While I was at it, I bought her a funnel, jar lifter, and labels.

I had the collection on my couch for a few days, but every time I started to wrap it, I just felt it wasn't finished yet. So, I started looking for a boiling bath canner in my local stores. Since we are in the middle of winter, I was out of luck. However, we do live in the 21st century, so I ordered one. I'm happy to say it arrived the day before I needed to give my bestie her gift.

I was worried about wrapping such an interesting combination of things, especially since the canner didn't come in a box. I needn't have worried, though. I dug through my gift bag/shopping bag stash and found a huge floral tote bag that was the perfect size.

Concerned she might not be thrilled about my gift since I based it upon a simple comment she made in passing, I carefully placed it on the booth bench beside her and wished a happy birthday. I'm happy to say that she loved it. She was surprised and excited by the possibilities.

She talked about making salsa and strawberry jam. She pondered pickles and herbs. It was so much fun talking about her garden and what she might can next summer. I did warn her that some things needed to be pressure canned, so she might still be freezing some produce since I gave her a boiling bath canner.

As we chatted, I offered a few seeds of wisdom that I thought I would share with you today. While using a boiling bath canner, adding a splash of white vinegar to your canning water before processing will keep your jars nice and clean. Since I live in an area with hard water, I get lime deposits on my home canned goods if I don't use vinegar.

Another piece of wisdom I offered was always to use Sure Jell when making jams and jellies. There are different types of pectin, but I have only had good results with Sure Jell. Every other pectin I've used has resulted in my jams and jellies not setting up properly. One year, I ended up with twelve jars of strawberry syrup. Never again.

It's important to leave your newly canned goods untouched for at least 24 hours after processing and being removed from the canner. If everything is as it should be, a chorus of loud popping sounds will fill the air. After the jars have set undisturbed for a day, they can be labeled and stored in a cool, dark place.

Always wear closed-toed shoes when canning. This is from my own experience. Boiling water causes a lot of pain on sensitive toes. It very easy to drip while removing jars from the canner. Plus, if you happen to break a jar, you sure don't want to be walking around on scalding produce and glass shards with bare feet.

Preserving the bounty around us is smart, and in this day and age, a healthy decision. You know exactly what's in your food when you grow it yourself.

It's time to be planning your garden. Have you ordered your seeds yet?

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