Canning Archives - Gently Sustainable

15AprApril 15, 2020

How to Can Hamburger for Quick Meals

Ever get tired of expensive, mediocre, canned meat at the store? Want to take control the quality of the canned meat you eat? Can your own! It's simple to do and it's a great way to boost your pantry! Let's take a look at my tutorial "How to Can Hamburger for Quick Meals". Typically, I can meat in the late fall/winter. That's because our beef is usually ready, from the farmer, at that time of year. This year, we're raising our own beef! Yay! However, it's April, my beef freezer is getting low and our beef won't be ready to process until...

By KellyCanning, Preserving Food, Veterancanning meat, how to can meat0 Comments

09AprApril 9, 2020

Frugal Canning: Does Home Canning Really Save Money?

Frugal Canning: Does Canning Food Really Save You Money?

Canning and preserving food are skills that have been around for ages. But does canning food really save you money? The answer is yes...and no. Confused? Let's dig into this with "Frugal Canning: Does Canning Food Really Save You Money?" Long before what we know as "grocery stores" existed (Piggly Wiggly opened the first grocery store in 1916!), families were responsible for their own food supply. Folks grew large gardens every year, not as a hobby, but as a matter of survival! Every member of the family helped to maintain the garden, to insure the best harvest possible. Livestock such as chickens,...

By kmorrisAccomplished, Canning, Financial Resilience, Growing Food, Preserving Food, The Gardencanning, Food preservation0 Comments

17OctOctober 17, 2019

How to Preserve Carrots

Pressure canning can be very intimidating for new canners, I know it was for me! But truth told, once you pressure can a couple of times, you'll see how simple it really is! I want to take you through the process, step-by-step, as we learn "How to Can Carrots in a Pressure Canner for Beginners"! I prefer to can carrots by the "raw pack" method, meaning that the carrots will not be cooked, but rather packed raw. I feel that more nutrients are preserved this way. First, we're going to need some fresh carrots to can! I picked up these carrots...

By kmorrisAccomplished, Canning, Homesteading, Preserving Food, Veteran0 Comments

04OctOctober 4, 2019

How to Make Ghee at Home

What is ghee, also known as clarified butter? How is it made and what are it's uses? Why would a homesteader be interested in ghee? Well, I've got some answers for you today with "Easy Clarified Butter Recipe"! Ghee originated in the Indian culture and has been a staple in Indian households for thousands of years. It is simply made by removing the milk fat from butter, thus leaving just the butter oil. Ghee is a premium cooking oil celebrated for its taste, nutritional benefits, and medicinal qualities. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of India, recognizes ghee as an essential part...

By KellyAccomplished, Canning, Homesteading, Preserving Food, Scratch Recipes, Sustainable Home, Veteran0 Comments

18JulJuly 18, 2019

Homemade Roasted Tomato Spaghetti Sauce

There's nothing that I look forward to more in the summer than tomato season! Yes! That's because I can make (and can!) this amazing Homemade Roasted Tomato Spaghetti Sauce! I can't wait to show you how it's done! First, you're going to need some amazing and fresh tomatoes! Meaty tomatoes, like Roma, work best. I happened to have some very meaty canning tomatoes, they will make an awesome roasted tomato spaghetti sauce! I got a great deal on these tomatoes from my friend who runs a farm stand nearby, straight from the Amish produce market....woot!! The tomatoes in my garden aren't...

By KellyAccomplished, Canning, Newbie, Preserving Food, Scratch Recipes, Skill Building, Veteran0 Comments

12JulJuly 12, 2019

Canning Tomatoes For Beginners

Summer is tomato season! Oh tomatoes, how many ways do I love thee?? Now is the time to capture that fresh flavor in jars for the winter months! Today, I'm going to show you how with "Canning Tomatoes for Beginners"! First, you're going to need fresh-picked, fleshy tomatoes for canning! Often times, I'll pick up a couple of cases to can, long before my own garden tomatoes are ready. I don't want to miss a single opportunity to enjoy tomatoes on sandwiches, omelettes, pasta or in fresh marinara! How to Overwinter Your BEST Tomato Plants Here's what you're going to need: Beautiful fresh...

By KellyAccomplished, Canning, Homesteading, Preserving Food, Veteran0 Comments

04JulJuly 4, 2019

How to Prepare Your Family for a Food Shortage

Would you know how to prepare your family for a food crisis, should one happen? Or, do you think that because you live in the US that such a thing would never happen? Unless you've been in a cave for the last few months, you've watched the world become an entirely different place due to a virus called the "coronavirus". Not since the Y2K crisis have I seen such wide-spread, worldwide panic. But it seems that every year brings it's challenges. Last year, we dealt with certain food shortages due to #noplant19, brought on by catastrophic rains that kept farmers from planting their spring...

By KellyAccomplished, Canning, Chickens and Eggs, Financial Resilience, Foraging, Growing Food, Homesteading, Livestock, Newbie, Preserving Food, Skill Building, Sustainable Home, The Garden, Veteran4 Comments

10JunJune 10, 2019

Easy Strawberry Preserves Recipe

This "Easy Strawberry Preserves Recipe" is one of our family's favorite things to eat! When made with homegrown berries, it's even MORE of a treat! Let me show you how to make perfect strawberry preserves every time! Making fruit preserves is one of the first canning skills I learned because it's so simple. Preserves are simply a proportionate combination of fruit, juice, sugar and pectin. Different fruit require different amounts of sugar, depending on it's sweetness and juice content. Some fruit can be made into preserves without pectin, but strawberry preserves is best made with it. Here's everything you're going to...

By KellyAccomplished, Canning, Homesteading, Newbie, Preserving Food, Scratch Recipes, Veteran0 Comments

23AprApril 23, 2019

How to Make Easy Pineapple Jam at Home

Pineapple doesn't grow here in Ohio, so I LOVE it when I can find it on sale for .99 during the summer months! When you see fresh pineapple on sale in your area, grab an armload and let me show you How to Make Easy Pineapple Jam at Home! Here's what you'll need: 1 quart finely chopped pineapple (chopped, cored and peeled) 2 1/2 cups of sugar 1 cup water 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced and seeded 1 box pectin Several clean, sterilized jars, lids and rings (Get these ready before you start) Water bath canner Give all produce a good washing...

By KellyAccomplished, Canning, Homesteading, Preserving Food, Scratch Recipes, Sustainable HomePreserving food0 Comments