__________ The Beginner’s Guide to __________ Preserving ___________________________________________ By Dena Harris and NicoleTaylor -Courtesy of Homestead Harvest and Creative Homemaking- Copyright© Homestead Harvest Welcome to the rewarding world of preserving where countless generations before you have put up their fresh crops and enjoyed a simpler and healthier way of life. You will quickly discover how preserving your own food can become a hobby, a part-time pursuit, or a way of life. “The Beginner’s Guide to Preserving” will guide you through the early steps of food preparation and launch you into a world filled with wholesome fresh foods, new tastes, and improved health. Play with the different methods outlined here and see which foods appeal to you and your family. Then take a moment and congratulate yourself for taking this important step toward a healthy, happier, and more satisfied you. 2 Contents Overview of Preserving .................................................................................7 Canning ..........................................................................................................9 History of Canning.................................................................................9 Benefits ...............................................................................................10 How it Works.......................................................................................11 Methods ..............................................................................................11 Equipment...........................................................................................12 Proper Safety ......................................................................................12 Preparing Equipment ..........................................................................13 Preparing Food ...................................................................................13 Head Space ........................................................................................14 Cooking Times for Specific Foods.......................................................15 Adjusting for Elevation ........................................................................15 Processing the Food ...........................................................................16 Cooling................................................................................................16 Testing the Seal ..................................................................................17 Storing Canned Foods ........................................................................17 Shelf Life .............................................................................................18 FAQ.....................................................................................................18 Recipes ...............................................................................................19 Strawberry Jam ........................................................................19 Prickly Pear Marmalade ...........................................................19 Apple Butter..............................................................................20 Peach Preserves ......................................................................20 Applesauce...............................................................................21 Tomato Sauce ..........................................................................21 Zesty Salsa...............................................................................22 Cream-Style Corn.....................................................................22 Carrots......................................................................................22 Spiced Honey ...........................................................................23 Drying ...........................................................................................................24 History of Drying..................................................................................24 Benefits ...............................................................................................24 How it Works.......................................................................................25 Methods ..............................................................................................25 Equipment...........................................................................................26 Preparing the Food .............................................................................27 Processing the Food ...........................................................................27 Drying Times.......................................................................................28 3 Storing.................................................................................................28 Shelf Life .............................................................................................29 FAQ.....................................................................................................29 Recipes ...............................................................................................29 Sun Dried Tomatoes.................................................................29 Honey Banana Chips................................................................30 Beef Jerky ................................................................................30 Fruit Leather .............................................................................31 Dried Fruit Trail Mix ..................................................................31 Dried Sunflower Seeds.............................................................32 Freezing ........................................................................................................33 History of Freezing ..............................................................................33 Benefits ...............................................................................................34 How it Works.......................................................................................35 Equipment...........................................................................................35 Preparing Food ...................................................................................36 Storing Food........................................................................................39 Shelf Life .............................................................................................40 FAQ.....................................................................................................40 Recipes ...............................................................................................41 Baby Food Ice Cubes...............................................................41 Lemon Ice.................................................................................41 Fruit Mixes................................................................................41 Juicing ..........................................................................................................43 History of Juicing.................................................................................43 Benefits ...............................................................................................43 How it Works.......................................................................................45 Methods ..............................................................................................45 Equipment...........................................................................................45 Preparing Food ...................................................................................46 Storing Juice .......................................................................................46 FAQ.....................................................................................................46 Recipes ...............................................................................................47 Lemon-Lime Ginger Ale............................................................47 Homemade V8 Juice ................................................................47 Carrot Juice ..............................................................................47 Blueberry Smoothie..................................................................48 Fruit Punch ...............................................................................48 Monkey Shake..........................................................................48 4 Milling ...........................................................................................................49 History of Milling..................................................................................49 Benefits ...............................................................................................50 How it Works.......................................................................................50 Methods ..............................................................................................51 Equipment...........................................................................................51 Preparing Food ...................................................................................51 Storing.................................................................................................51 Shelf Life .............................................................................................52