Dear blogging friends and readers,
Hello there! I am about to embark on a learning experience of canning fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables this spring and summer. I have been VERY interested in canning for years now, but have never been BRAVE enough to take that step. This might seem silly to some, but I think it's because I did not grow up with a mom that canned....or with a grandma that canned. My mom always cooked and baked...every single day....I have totally inherited that gene from her....but she never canned or preserved food...other than freezing, of course. My mom was very domestic, she was a stay at home mom, she was never afraid to try new things.....however, she never canned a day in her life......and so, I am at a little disadvantage here for not growing up in a home where this was the norm. Oh I wish I had....because then I don't think I would even think twice about it.
Today I received my new pressure canner in the mail! Yay!! I have already purchased a water bath canner and accessories. I am on my way...one step at a time! I will first master water bath canning, then I will move on to pressure canning. I do NOT plan on learning to can meat. No, I am really not that brave. However I do want to be able to can green beans, carrots and corn....and for that, a pressure canner is a must. I have been interested in canning for years now and I am finally giving it a go.
Now, having said that....is there anyone out there reading this, that can give me some confidence. First let me tell you....I am a seeker of knowledge...so you do not have to worry about me not taking the proper steps...you don't have to worry about me creating my own recipes and just winging it, I would not do that in a million years, ...I have read and understand when to use the water bath canner and I know when to use the pressure canner...I am very aware of the safety rules to canning.....trust me, I will be up on every single pre-caution, every single sterilization process, every single attention to detail there is, before I pressure can...or water bath can. I am not interested in killing over from botulism.
So getting that out of the way.....can any of you, who have ever canned, please talk to me....tell me your experiences, tell me your mishaps, let me learn from you, tell me your success, tell me how you have been canning for years and it has been wonderful.....tell me you have been canning for years and never got sick, I am going to do this with our without you....but it would sure be nice to have some positive talk and feedback with you about this! I NEED FEEDBACK people, positive feedback!! If you can help me, I would be most appreciative!
P.S. I only know a couple people who have canned just a couple of different items....such as tomatoes, salsa and jam....and that's it. Also, when I have talked to these people....they aren't anal retentative about it as I am. They are just kinda casual when talking about it and I am not finding that to be of any use to me. My one friend who has canned 2 different items is like "ummm, well, ya, you just do this, and then that and, oh wait, I forget, oh ya, that's right.....scared? of what? no. I'm not scared....I just do it.....{and then I'm like.......ok!?!?!} These books that I have been reading offer up the most scariest of information about potential deadly botulism....why aren't you afraid????? LOL!
Ok, so anyhow......can anyone boost my confidence here???? I need a friend!!!
