Monique Koerner is the Household and Neighborhood Wellness Agent with Ok-State Analysis and Extension Cottonwood District. Courtesy picture
By MONIQUE KOERNER
Cottonwood Extension District
There may be nothing just like the style of contemporary greens that come straight to the desk from the backyard, and infrequently when there’s a produce surplus of us flip to processing choices equivalent to freezing or canning to make it final all year long.
In anticipation of that summer season season, I want to provide tips about how you can have a profitable canning expertise.
First, be sure all the pieces is working correctly.
Canning jars and rings needs to be free from cracks and no rust on the rings. Handwashing is beneficial to maintain them from rusting prematurely. Lids, nevertheless, can’t be used greater than as soon as.
Subsequent, be sure your canner is in good working order. Dial gauge canners want their valves and gauge checked. Your native extension workplace can take a look at the gauge for Presto, Nationwide, Maid of Honor and Magic Seal canners.
Examine the seal between the pot and lid, searching for cracks or dried rubber. If the seal isn’t good then the canner is not going to get to the correct strain.
The rubber plug also can put on out and typically want changed.
So far as getting ready the meals, it is suggested to take away the peels to forestall unintended micro organism development.
After the jars have been processed, they need to be positioned on a towel on the counter in an remoted place, with no drafts and allowed to chill down naturally.
Lastly, write the date the meals was canned on the lid earlier than placing them in storage. It’s endorsed that jars be used inside one yr and rotate them out for subsequent yr’s provide.
And only a reminder about canning recipes. Details about meals comes at us from many instructions. We would scroll by Fb, Pinterest or one other social media platform and be attracted by a brand new recipe. More often than not, recipes for foremost programs or desserts is not going to pose meals security dangers. Perhaps a good friend informed you a couple of new canning technique. Meals preservation recipes that haven’t been examined for security may very well be dangerous, and even lethal if the canned meals accommodates the toxin that causes botulism.
These are some inquiries to ask your self:
• Who’s the creator of the analysis or publication? The U.S. Division of Agriculture and universities have performed respected meals preservation analysis.
• Is the meals preservation data based mostly on present scientific analysis or opinion? Outdated canning recipes needs to be retired. An exception: if ingredient quantities and processing instances are precisely the identical as present meals preservation recipes, they may very well be used.
• The place did you discover the knowledge? Study the URL on the web site. Does it finish with “.edu” (indicating a college or different instructional group) or “.gov” (indicating a authorities website)? Universities and authorities sources are credible sources of meals preservation data.
Please be sure your canning recipes are from credible sources earlier than attempting them. Whereas dwelling canning could be a secure and handy approach to retailer meals, it should be executed safely.
Monique Koerner is the Household and Neighborhood Wellness Agent with Ok-State Analysis and Extension – Cottonwood District. You could attain her at 785-628-9430 or [email protected].