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It’s food preservation season—that much-anticipated time when home gardeners and farmers market enthusiasts get to preserve the harvest. While many people are familiar with freezing and dehydrating foods, canning often raises questions about safety and proper procedures.
Food preservation is a science- and research-based practice. It is not the same as creative cooking. When preserving food using a boiling water bath or pressure canner, it is important to follow tested procedures exactly. That’s why some favorite family recipes, such as fresh salsa, grandma’s stew, butter, bacon, or pureed squash, are not recommended for home canning unless they have been scientifically tested and approved.
The best sources for safe, research-based food preservation information are your local Baxter County Extension Office and the So Easy to Preserve cookbook from the University of Georgia. These resources provide up-to-date recommendations based on current food safety research.
Follow these important canning guidelines:
• Always use current, research-tested recipes and approved canning methods (boiling water bath or pressure canning).
• Follow canning directions exactly as written.
• Make altitude adjustments by increasing processing time for water bath canning or adjusting pressure for pressure canning.
• Ensure jars have a proper lid seal before storing.
• Do not add extra starch, flour, or thickeners to recipes.
• Do not add extra onions, peppers, or other vegetables to salsa recipes unless the recipe has been tested for those changes.
• Properly vent pressure canners before pressurizing.
• Have dial-gauge pressure canners tested annually for accuracy.
• Never use an oven in place of a boiling water bath canner.
• Properly acidify tomatoes when required by the recipe.
• Do not cool a pressure canner under running water.
• Do not allow hot-packed foods to cool in jars before processing.
For canning enthusiasts, the satisfaction of preserving food for family and friends is well worth the time and effort. By following research-based recommendations and using trusted resources, you can safely enjoy the harvest all year long.
For more information about home food preservation, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office at 870-425-2335 or consult So Easy to Preserve from the University of Georgia.
