Hello there, my garden enthusiasts and canning conquerors! If you’re sitting on a garden harvest bounty and wondering how to prolong that summer taste into the chillier months, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five delicious, tried-and-true canning recipes that will bring your garden delights straight to your winter table.
1. The Classic: Canned Tomatoes
We’ll start with a classic – canned tomatoes. Perfect for soups, sauces, and stews throughout the year.
Ingredients:
- Fresh ripe tomatoes
- Lemon juice
- Salt
Peel your tomatoes (a quick blanching will make this a breeze), pack them into jars with a teaspoon of lemon juice and half a teaspoon of salt each, and process in a boiling water bath for about 85 minutes (pints) or 90 minutes (quarts).
2. Berry Delicious: Strawberry Jam
Your own homemade strawberry jam is a breakfast treat like no other.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs fresh strawberries
- 4 cups white sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Mash strawberries in a large saucepan. Stir in sugar and lemon juice, bring to a boil, and then simmer for about 20 minutes. Skim off any foam and pour into sterilized jars. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
3. Pickle Pleaser: Dill Pickles
Turn your cucumber harvest into a crunchy, tangy treat that’s a perfect complement to any sandwich.
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/4 cups white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon canning salt
- 4 cups cucumber spears
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 heads fresh dill
Boil water, vinegar, sugar, and salt to make your brine. Pack your cucumbers, garlic, and dill into jars, cover with the brine, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
4. Sweet and Tangy: Apple Chutney
This is a perfect partner to roast pork or a sharp cheese.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup sweet red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Combine all ingredients in a pot, simmer until thickened, about 1-2 hours. Pour into jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
5. The Relish: Zucchini Relish
This recipe is an ideal way to use up an abundant zucchini crop, and it tastes amazing on burgers or hot dogs.
Ingredients:
- 10 cups zucchini, grated
- 4 cups onion, chopped
- 5 tablespoons canning salt
- 2 1/2 cups white vinegar
- 6 cups granulated sugar
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Combine zucchini, onions, and salt and let sit overnight. Rinse and drain, then combine with the remaining ingredients in a pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Ladle into jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
And there you have it! Five fantastic canning recipes that will let you enjoy your garden’s bounty all year round. Happy canning, my garden gurus!