My Canning Inspiration Story

Today, I would like to share a story about the people who have inspired me to learn the art of home canning.

(You may need a cup of coffee.)

One of my earliest memories of my dear mother is watching her can in the kitchen of our two-story home in northern Arkansas.  I'm certain she canned various fruits and vegetables, but the one I remember the most is the green beans (we had an abundance). My daddy and siblings worked in our big garden, and my mother did the majority of the canning by herself.  I'm sure that my sister helped her.  I was baby sister and rather spoiled, I'm afraid.  My gardening assistance occurred much later when I was an older teenager. My mother is an excellent cook and is able to make a delicious meal out of most anything. She is first and foremost the person who inspired me to learn to cook. Her efficiency in her organized kitchen is incredible to watch, and in that respect, she taught me well.   We did not eat gourmet food, but we never went hungry. Her Sunday pot roast meals were the best, and her Southern breakfast is far better than Cracker Barrell's!  You've heard of the expression "comfort food."  All of Mama's meals are comfort to me.

The second person who had a profound impact on my desire to learn home-canning is my dearly beloved Grandma Siler.  She was a strong lady, having to help bring up her younger siblings when her mother passed away. At one point in her marriage, Grandma and Grandpa had a farm.  The story that I remember being told as a little girl was that Grandma spent many long hours canning, especially saving the jars of jams and jellies for her boys who were serving in World War II.  Sadly, their house caught on fire sometime that same year.  As my grandmother heard those jars explode, she asked the Lord to bring her boys home safe.  He answered her prayer.

The third person who inspired me is my sweet sister Becky.  Becky, like my mother, and both grandmothers, is a strong individual. She, like my mother, is an excellent cook.  You will not leave hungry when you visit her house.  Becky is the epitome of Southern hospitality! After she married and began a family of her own, she and her husband kept a large garden.  I remember Becky's pride in her jelly cupboard, a cabinet that her husband had made as a project in high school. (Mark is an industrial arts major.)  She still uses that cupboard faithfully.  One of Becky's favorite canned goods is her Virginia chunk pickles. I'm proud that my sister has carried on the tradition of quality food at the table.

The fourth person is my mother-in-law, Bonnie.  She gave me hands-on training when my husband Harold and I were newly married.  We lived in an old country house near a creek.  The soil in the back yard was especially fertile and gave us a great opportunity to learn vegetable gardening. We grew green beans, tomatoes and peppers in abundance!  Bonnie loaned me her pressure canner, and I took off (with her help).   Something she told me years ago has always stayed with me, and I'll admit that it is true.  "When you start canning, you will want to can everything in sight."   The paradox about Bonnie is that she does not like to cook, but she loved canning!

The fifth person who has served as an inspiration is my dear friend, Annie.  Annie is a homemaker and mother of six children.  Her talents far exceed mine.  She is an excellent seamstress and is a perfectionist at whatever she does.  She married a young man who was brought up on farm. Naturally, she has become quite proficient in canning.  In fact, she has been the one who has loaned me her pressure canner all through the years.  I've observed Annie gift folks with her delicious home-cooked meals throughout the past twenty years or so.  Going to her house for a supper is a delight!

The sixth person who inspires me is my own husband!  He has been a faithful provider for our family through the years and is supportive of my canning endeavors.  He has willingly planted oversized gardens for me and purchases the necessary items that I need for my adventures in the kitchen.  He teasingly told friends and family members years ago, "Sarah and I have a good food relationship. She likes to cook, and I like to eat."  Harold enjoys and actually takes over the canning production of green beans.  He watches that pressure gauge with scientific precision, wearing safety glasses and gloves. :)

The seventh person, and certainly, not least, is the Lord Himself.  That may sound a bit odd.  I believe firmly that He wants us to eat the good of the land.  I am grateful that He daily loads me with benefits.  He has blessed me, and I long to bless others with a little gift here and there - a jar of homemade goodness. :)

May your canning journey be blessed!

Water Bath Canning Supplies

If you can boil water, you should be able to use the water bath canning process!

First and foremost, you need a canner. A Boiling Water Canner is a large pot, tall enough to fully submerge your canning jars with an inch of water over top. It is for both the sterilization of jars prior to filling and also for boiling the jars once they are filled. (make certain that you have a rack inside it)

This is a common boiling water bath canner.  It is not recommended, however, for glasstop ranges due to the ridges on the bottom of the pan.  Most of these canners will include a rack.  If not, you will need to purchase that separately.

 

Another option as a water bath canner is a large stainless steel pot, an item that you may already have in your cabinets.  You need to make certain that it is large enough to accommodate jars with an inch of water over top. Make certain that you have a tight-fitting lid.

A third option is an electric water bath canner.  This is used independently of your cook stove and will enable you to have an extra burner available. A wonderful feature is the spigot which allows you to drain the water directly into the sink.

The next significant item on the list is, of course, the jar.  I do not suggest you use any brands other than Ball or Kerr.  They are the most reliable and will withstand the pressures of canning.  Always make certain to thoroughly inspect the jars before using them. Jars come in various sizes - 4 oz., 8 oz., 12, oz., 16 oz., 32 oz. and 64 oz. 

You need lids and screw bands for the jars.  One size fits all of the jars.  Lids cannot be reused but bands can be used over and over again, provided they are not dented or rusty. When you purchase a box of jars, the lids and bands are usually included with the jars, or they can be bought separately.

Various utensils will assist you with water bath canning.  They may be sold in kits or purchased separately. The ones that you should have on hand before you begin are the jar lifter, the bubble remover, the lid wand, a funnel, and a ladle (do not use aluminum as it can react with certain foods).

Other common items that are needed include a wooden spoon, tongs, saucepan for heating lids, a large pot for heating/blanching foods, large bowls, colanders, cutting boards, knives, heating pads, and towels.  Optional items may be a food mill, a scale and a kitchen timer. I purchased a food mill last summer and realized that this was a necessary item when making jams and jellies!

You may have your own favorite items that you use when water bath canning.  These are the most important ones to have on hand.  Fortunately, they are not terribly expensive and can be found in most stores and/or online.  They should last you for years to come!

 

Welcome to The Canning Cupboard!

Welcome to my blog! 

I am excited to begin this journey with you at The Canning Cupboard, where food is plentiful and delicious.  I enjoy spending time in my kitchen, creating culinary delights for my family from my home-canned goods. 

I plan to share what I have learned and what I am currently learning about the art of home preserving.  We will focus primarily on water bath canning and pressure canning at the beginning, and from there, we will branch out and learn about freezing fresh produce, dehydrating food, preserving herbs and making our own spice mixes.   We will also have a bit of fun sharing various creative uses of the Mason jar.

Our next leg of the journey will be gardening!  We will explore container gardens, raised beds and larger vegetable gardens.  We will also discover how to grow various fruits such as strawberries, blueberry bushes and more!

After our gardens are planted and flourishing, I will show you step-by-step as I can my produce at home.  We will go in my kitchen where I will be busy all summer and fall with canning jams, jellies, pickles, peaches, tomatoes, green beans and peppers.

As the harvest season begins to wane, we will turn our attention to the baking pantry.  I will show you how to organize your baking goods and your baking ware. I will share some of my favorite recipes for holiday desserts and tempt your sweet tooth with my cheesecakes!

Once the Christmas season arrives, you should be able to relax and begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor from your very own cupboard.

Welcome to The Canning Cupboard!