Canning fruits and vegetables - PaleoHacks.com most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-23T18:25:24Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/125088 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables Canning fruits and vegetables Divrgurl13 2012-06-04T11:50:10Z 2012-09-14T09:21:45Z <p>Does anyone on here have any thoughts on canning fruits and vegetables for the winter? In my attempt to become more self sufficient and not rely on the grocery store, I would like to preserve as much of my own veggies that I have grown or bought bulk from local organic farms. Is there a large nutrient loss in the canning process? Does anyone have any books they might suggest for canning/preserving? I'm sorry if this isn't exactly a 'paleo' question - but it is related to my diet...</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125093#125093 Answer by blueballoon for Canning fruits and vegetables blueballoon 2012-06-04T12:29:36Z 2012-06-04T12:29:36Z <p>I can tomatoes (including salsa) because I think home-canned tomatoes taste better and I remove most of the risk of BPA contamination from store-bought canned tomatoes. With anything canned there will be nutrient loss, but I'd rather have canned tomatoes available from a local organic farm than buy fresh tomatoes from Florida or Mexico treated with chemicals. Sure, canned food isn't ideal. It does, however, make me feel better to have preserved food for the winter and have available calories in case of natural disaster. And also, chili just hits the spot in winter. Anyhow. Bottom line--you will have nutrient loss, but it won't be 100%. I believe Vit C is reduced significantly over time, but if you make sure you store everything in a cool dark place you should keep things better for longer.</p> <p>I don't can other vegetables except as pickles, mostly because I don't have a pressure canner. I also think other veggies don't taste very good canned, so I just don't bother.</p> <p>As for books: </p> <p>I like "Canning for a New Generation," "Tart and Sweet," and "Put 'em Up" (the last of which goes into more than just canning--also freezing and drying). Of those, the last two are my favorites.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125094#125094 Answer by Team Oberg for Canning fruits and vegetables Team Oberg 2012-06-04T12:31:10Z 2012-06-04T12:31:10Z <p>I am starting canning this year as well, but fortunately I am getting a lot of good advice from my grandmother. I am not sure about how much nutrients are lost when you can, but I was told that it is best to add a bit of ascorbic acid vitamin C) to foods you can to prevent them from turning brown. One thing to consider when you can is that you have to heat the produce up to seal the jar, that is the only way I can think that nutrients would be lost.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125096#125096 Answer by Renee for Canning fruits and vegetables Renee 2012-06-04T12:37:55Z 2012-06-04T12:37:55Z <p>I'm not the picture of paleo but I'm sure the ancient ones preserves whatever they could. I doubt they would waste anything. This is a good thread.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125146#125146 Answer by MiMintzer for Canning fruits and vegetables MiMintzer 2012-06-04T16:46:36Z 2012-06-04T16:46:36Z <p>Maybe consider freezing your vegitables. Not sure if or how much nutrients are lost but it sure is easier than canning. My mother often freezes excess tomatoes from her garden.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125156#125156 Answer by zoomia for Canning fruits and vegetables zoomia 2012-06-04T17:20:43Z 2012-06-04T17:20:43Z <p>I think canning is great ... though personally, I freeze more than I can.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125167#125167 Answer by sandy A for Canning fruits and vegetables sandy A 2012-06-04T17:36:25Z 2012-06-04T17:36:25Z <p>I used to do a lot of canning when I had a big garden and it is really easy. There are loads o online resources for free, or even from your local county extension agent (they may have a website). I recently canned about 16 jars of plums. Someone gave me all those plums and I just knew I couldn't eat them all before they went bad! I used unsweetened apple juice for the liquid. I use the water bath method of canning.</p> http://paleohacks.com/questions/125088/canning-fruits-and-vegetables/125176#125176 Answer by Canis Minor for Canning fruits and vegetables Canis Minor 2012-06-04T18:03:42Z 2012-06-04T18:03:42Z <p>I'll do some preservation of produce, though I don't eat fruit and I don't eat anything but kale out of season (I'm one of those seasonal freaks) so I do it in small batches I know I'll get through fairly quickly. I would probably do more veggie canning and freezing if I grew my own. </p>