The match that deserves a much bigger comeback.
Every year I see people posting about and offering free surplus in boxes on the corner from their gardens. Which is always so great to see, crop sharing is another tradition very worthy of preservation. But my first thought is always, “ don't you need that produce after the harvest is over??”. It leads me to believe a lot of us have yet to make the connection that a garden isn't simply to bolster your supply during the growing months, what we grow can in fact feed us year round if we take the time to sock some away.
I had the great fortune of growing up in a family that never stopped canning, freezing, drying, and more to save the season. It was so inspiring I founded my business on it. I have been canning professionally for over 11 years, originally selling at farmers markets, pop-ups, and online. Since creating Clara’s Canning in my grandmother Clara’s memory, it has taken many forms. I no longer sell canned items to the public as we are going through a big transition and building our own farm from scratch to hopefully produce our own ingredients for our products. Though no matter what changes have come, the basis has always been eating more locally and in season, and to do that we must store some foods for when the seasons change.
About 4 years ago I started teaching canning classes to the public and was overjoyed with the reception. While teaching, I always discuss the important connection between growing our own food and preserving it. The way students light up whether it's bringing up family memories or they are learning for the first time has brought so much joy to what I do. Because sure, I can just sell you an excellent jar of pickles, but giving you the power to do it yourself takes nothing away from me but can give so much more to us all.
So please, start to think about adding canning as a way to preserve the food that came from your very hands. The first time I planted, grew, harvested, shelled, and pressure canned my own beans, a light came on inside of me. I did that! It is such a versatile art, you really could create a pantry not even the grocery store can replicate.
And as always, use safe accredited recipes. Never stray from following proper procedure, because when done properly canning is incredibly safe. When done improperly, it can lead to deadly forms of food poisoning. I always recommend the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving to beginners as the recipes have been tested endlessly and updated for nearly 100 years.
To find Clara’s Canning Online:
Instagram: @clarascanning
Youtube: Canning & Cooking tutorials on YouTube
Blog: Clara’s Blog