A Lifetime of Home Canning: Preserving Through Tradition and Skill
The art of home canning has been a significant part of my life for decades, starting when I was just 4 years old. This traditional practice has evolved into a cherished family tradition, with each jar holding not just preserved food but also a piece of history and love.
Early Beginnings: My First Canning Adventure
My journey with home canning began quite humbly. Living with my grandmother on her farm, we faced economic hardships, and canning became a necessity to preserve our food for the long winter months. My very first task was chasing chickens for my brothers so they could dip them in boiling water to remove the feathers. It was a simple but crucial role in the canning process.
Chickens and Mason Jars
Suffice to say, a 4-year-old couldn’t do much else. My grandmother would then debone the chickens using a switch blade razor and pack them into 1-quart mason jars, a technique that is both precise and efficient. We would repeat this process about 40-50 jars at a time, a task that usually took an entire weekend to complete. The process was meticulous, from the boiling water to the sealing of the jars.
The Crucial Years: Breaking the Canning Traditions
Life changed when my grandmother passed away. Canning ceased for several years, but the spark was reignited when I turned 18. For the last 25 years, I have been canning everything from plants and wild foraged berries to game. Through all these years, my passion for canning has only grown, and I am fortunate to have both the knowledge and the equipment to continue this tradition.
Modern Challenges and Solutions
Despite my extensive experience and knowledge, certain challenges remain. For example, I haven't been successful in finding a can big enough to put my entire house in, which seems like an impractical but fun idea for a seasoned canner. Nevertheless, this challenge does not detract from my enjoyment of the process.
Quality and Taste: The Superiority of Home Canned Goods
The taste and quality of home canned food truly surpass that of mass-produced factory goods. In my family, we only canned what we grew in our gardens, ensuring that everything from the vegetables to the fruits were fresh and on-trend.
Plumbing the Depths of Tradition
Our tradition has deep roots: each year, we plow, plant, harvest, and can our food. During harvest season, the whole family gathered together, working day and night to ensure that we could survive the winter months. I was proud to be part of these traditions, and I have continued to can many items to preserve this heritage.
Passing Down the Knowledge
The philosophy of my grandfather, 'if you don’t grow it and can it, you won’t have it,' remains a guide for my family today. We instill this value in our children, teaching them the importance of working together in a love and respect for nature. The knowledge of how to care for what we grow and eat is crucial for future generations.
Explore and Share
From homemade jams and jellies to sauces and salsas, we ensure that every item we can is a labor of love. Our success lies in our ability to do much of the work ourselves, from planting gardens to foraging in the wild. By sharing these traditional recipes and canning techniques, we hope to keep the spirit of home canning alive for generations to come.