Fall is a good time to take a quick look through your pantry and freezer. A little checking now can help you use older foods while they're still at their best. Canned jars: Check that lids are firmly sealed and look for leaks, bulging lids, or signs of spoilage. Discard jars with broken seals or anything that looks or smells off. Don't taste questionable food. Dates and labels: Make sure each jar is labeled with its contents and canning date. Use the oldest jars first, and store sealed jars...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Cranberries shine in jars. This list gathers bright, reliable recipes for a busy canning day. Each recipe walks you through safe steps, clear ingredients, and tested methods you can trust. Cranberries are one of my favorite items to can each year. Cranberry Jelly I love starting with a classic. This shiny, sweet jelly captures the true flavor of fresh apples. Spread it on warm toast or swirl it into yogurt for breakfast. The process is simple, but a clear set of instructions makes all the...
15 days ago • 1 min read
October brings a full pantry and busy hands. This month is perfect for canning, freezing, drying, and pickling using safe and reliable methods. Keep it simple, follow tested recipes, and enjoy the jars you will reach for all year. Fruits in season in October Apples Pears Figs Grapes Blackberries Raspberries Peaches Nectarines Plums Cranberries Pomegranates Kiwi Vegetables in season in October Cucumbers Summer squash Corn Peppers Tomatoes Eggplants Artichokes Peas Sweet potatoes Parsnips...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Fall is a favorite time to fill the pantry. Apples, pears, cranberries, and beets bring plenty of color and flavor to the kitchen. A few jars tucked away now can give you something special to serve long after the season ends. If you’re planning for holiday meals or simply enjoying the harvest, these four recipes are worth adding to your fall canning list. Spiced Apple Wedges: A Cozy Fall Favorite If apples are on your kitchen counter, Spiced Apple Wedges are a lovely way to put them to use....
29 days ago • 2 min read
Fresh pumpkins and winter squash store well, but they can also be canned and frozen for long-term storage. Here is how to keep that harvest safe and tasty all season. Canning Pumpkin and Winter Squash Pressure Can in Cubes Only Never can pumpkin and squash puree, it is too dense for safe canning. Use peeled, seeded cubes packed in hot liquid. Do not mash before canning. Follow the tested times, headspace, and pressure, and adjust for your altitude. Full Step-by-Step Instructions Freezing...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Pear season is here, and it's the perfect time to fill your pantry with a few homemade favorites. Choose pears that are ripe but still firm. They should smell sweet, give slightly near the stem, and have no soft spots, mold, or damaged areas. Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears all work well for preserving. Very soft pears can turn sticky or lose their shape, so use those first for baking or sauces. Here are seven pear recipes to try this season: Cinnamon Pear JamSweet pear flavor with warm...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
It's apple season, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of jars cooling on the counter or a pantry filled with homemade apple jars. This year, the season feels especially precious here in Maryland. A late spring frost in April caused significant damage to many local orchards, leaving some growers with smaller harvests and fewer apples to offer. It's a reminder of just how much care, hard work, and Mother Nature go into every piece of fruit we bring home. Apples are one of my favorite...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Fresh figs have a short season, but a good batch of preserves lets you enjoy their sweet, rich flavor long after summer ends. Two Fig Recipes to Make Fig Preserves are a classic choice when you want tender pieces of fruit in a thick, sweet syrup. Serve them with biscuits, toast, cheese, or spoon them over yogurt. Fig Jam has a smooth, spreadable texture that belongs on breakfast toast, desserts, and simple snack boards. It also makes a lovely homemade gift. Start with ripe, unblemished figs...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
With food preservation, not every recipe needs to be canned! Freezer-friendly recipes can save you time while locking in those fresh, vibrant flavors. Here are three simple freezer recipes you’ll love: Blueberry Raspberry Freezer Jam This recipe is a fruity blend that’s perfect for spreading on toast or dolloping over yogurt. It’s quick to prepare and skips the canning process entirely. Try it out and enjoy bursts of berry goodness whenever you need. Get the Recipe Granny Smith Apple Freezer...
2 months ago • 1 min read