It's very easy to can. For canning jam, I use a waterbath canner. This is simply a large pot filled with water that "processes" jars of high-acid fruit and vegetables using boiling water rather than pressure. Check out the Ball website for lots of great info on the different ways to preserve fruits and veggies.
It's really important to prep your work space prior before your canning adventure gets too far underway. This means, you must have a clean area to work in, and you must WASH and STERILIZE your jars, lids and bands. You also must check out the rims of your jars to ensure there are no cracks or nicks. This could cause your preserves to go to waste or cause botulism (click HERE to learn about how serious botulism is) if jars don't seal properly, and if you are going to all the trouble of canning food that you bought with your hard-earned money-take a little extra time to inspect your jars!
A word about supplies: I would go the extra mile and buy yourself a few canning tools and a clear plastic shoebox (they have them at the dollar store) to put them in. Label it "CANNING TOOLS" and keep them in that box!! This way, when you decide to can, your canning tools are not scattered through the kitchen in who-knows-which-utensil drawer, or in the garage, or even in the laundry room. You would be surprised (or not) where husbands and kids place things they don't think are useful-until they are needed. OK, back to supplies: A ladle is a biggie, as well as a funnel that fits securely on the jars and some heavy duty tongs. The magnetic wand that magically "lifts" the lids and bands out of the water is not completely necessary, tongs do the same thing. And a plastic butter knife works great to get rid of bubbles before sealing your jars.
Now, let's make some jam!
A word about supplies: I would go the extra mile and buy yourself a few canning tools and a clear plastic shoebox (they have them at the dollar store) to put them in. Label it "CANNING TOOLS" and keep them in that box!! This way, when you decide to can, your canning tools are not scattered through the kitchen in who-knows-which-utensil drawer, or in the garage, or even in the laundry room. You would be surprised (or not) where husbands and kids place things they don't think are useful-until they are needed. OK, back to supplies: A ladle is a biggie, as well as a funnel that fits securely on the jars and some heavy duty tongs. The magnetic wand that magically "lifts" the lids and bands out of the water is not completely necessary, tongs do the same thing. And a plastic butter knife works great to get rid of bubbles before sealing your jars.
Now, let's make some jam!
For my raspberry jam, I chose the best looking raspberries and rinsed them off-throwing away berries that were overripe and/or moldy. |
Then I mashed them with a potato masher. |
My jars cooling on a towel on the table! |
Finished product-beautiful red raspberry jam! |
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