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...
11 days 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...
18 days ago • 1 min read
Hatch pepper season has arrived, and it never lasts long! Grown in New Mexico’s Hatch Valley, these flavorful peppers are known for their distinctive smoky taste and a range of heat levels, from pleasantly mild to seriously spicy. Because their season is so brief, now is the perfect time to enjoy them fresh and preserve a few batches for later. One of my favorite ways to extend Hatch pepper season is by pickling. Pickled Hatch peppers bring a bright, tangy kick to tacos, sandwiches, eggs,...
25 days ago • 1 min read
August is one of the best months to enjoy fresh, locally grown produce. Farmers markets, roadside stands, grocery stores, and pick-your-own farms are overflowing with colorful fruits and vegetables at their peak flavor. Because seasonal produce is often plentiful, August can also be a great time to stock up, save money, and preserve some of your favorites for the colder months ahead. Fresh Fruits to Look For PeachesEnjoy them fresh, add them to desserts, or preserve them by freezing, canning,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Corn is at its best right now, and this is the perfect time to fill your freezer and pantry with that fresh summer flavor. Corn and Cherry Tomato Salsa Choose the method that works best for you: Freeze whole-kernel corn for an easy side dish, soups, casseroles, and more. Learn how to freeze whole-kernel corn. Pressure can corn for a shelf-stable pantry staple. Corn is a low-acid food, so it must be pressure canned. Get the pressure canning instructions for corn. Make corn relish for burgers,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
If you want one tomato project that pays you back all season long, this is it. The Crushed Tomatoes Canning Recipe is a pantry staple that makes dinner easier. It gives you ready-to-use tomatoes for soup, chili, pasta sauce, and all the meals that need a good tomato base without extra fuss. This recipe is one of those must-make jars. It keeps the flavor simple and useful, which is exactly what home canners need when the week gets busy. A few things that make it worth adding to your canning...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
If your tomato bins are overflowing, homemade salsa is one of the best ways to use them up. Fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices come together into jars that are bright, flavorful, and ready to enjoy with chips, tacos, eggs, and quick weeknight meals. Bookmark this page for easy access to the latest homemade salsa recipes as they are added. Zesty Salsa If you're looking for a classic and versatile option, start with this Zesty Salsa Recipe for Canning. Packed with garden-fresh...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
If you have ever opened the canner and noticed that one jar looks a little low on liquid, you are not alone. This is called siphoning, and it can happen even when you follow the steps carefully. The good news is, it is common. The better news is, once you know what causes it, it gets much easier to avoid. In my full guide on siphoning in canning, I cover what siphoning is, why it happens, and the simple things that can help reduce it in future batches. If you are still sorting out the basics...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Canning salmon at home is easier than a lot of people think. It gives you a convenient pantry meal that tastes good and keeps well. In this recipe, you only need salmon and optional salt, and you do not add water or broth. Here are the big things to remember: Start with fresh, cleaned fish, and keep it cold until you are ready to can it, no more than two days. Remove the head, tail, scales, fins, and skin, then wash away any blood. Cut the salmon into pieces that fit easily into pint or...
2 months ago • 1 min read