Reviving the lost art of self-reliance, one small step at a time
Stock your pantry with shelf-stable food fresh from the garden. From home canning basics to recipes for preserving garden fresh produce, you’ll find what you need to get started here!
Whether you have a garden abundance or support your local farmers market, there are a number of food preservation methods that will allow you to store food to last through the winter. There’s nothing better than pulling a jar of fresh applesauce out of the panty in the middle of a cold winter. It’s like summer in a jar. And tomato sauce from the garden? So much better than the store bought stuff.
But canning isn’t the only way to preserve food for long-term storage. In addition to water bath and pressure canning, dehydrating fruits and vegetables, fermentation, and freezing are other methods to try. Start with the food preservation method that seems most doable to you. Soon you’ll have a pantry full of produce to enjoy in the off-season.
Scroll through the recipes and methods here or use the search function at the top of the page to find a specific recipe.
These dried chile pepper flakes will add spice and a bit of zing to your favorite recipes. Make them yourself from garden fresh hot peppers!
How to Make Your Own Chile Pepper Flakes from Garden Fresh PeppersRead More
These chewy dried bananas are a great healthy snack and dehydrating bananas couldn’t be easier. These chewy dehydrated banana chips are a winner!
How to Make Addictive Chewy Dried Bananas — You Won’t Stop at OneRead More
When your garden is producing an abundant crop of flavorful fresh basil, it’s time to learn how to dry basil, preserving this herb long-term.
While home food preservation is not difficult, there are some things to know. Get started with an understanding of the necessary canning equipment. From canning jars and lids to water bath canners and pressure canners, here’s what you need to know to safely preserve your garden harvest at home.
Home Preservation: Canning Equipment and How to Get StartedRead More
When avocados are abundant (or inexpensive) freezing avocados makes sense. Here’s how to preserve avocados for use when the season’s done. Did somebody say guacamole??
Savor the Flavor of Avocados All Year Long – Here’s How to Preserve ThemRead More
This homemade applesauce recipe doesn’t require any measuring at all. Eat it fresh or try canning applesauce to stock your pantry. It’s like pie in a jar!
Homemade Applesauce Recipe for Canning or Fresh EatingRead More
Canning nectarines preserves the flavor of this summertime stone fruit. These canned nectarines feature fresh ginger and blueberries for a flavorful pop of summertime that you’ll appreciate having in your pantry.
Blueberry Ginger Spiced Nectarines in Light Honey SyrupRead More
These lightly sweetened chai spiced peaches will rock your pantry! This recipe for canned peaches makes a shelf-stable product rich with summertime flavor.
What’s the difference between jam and jelly? And while we’re at it, what about preserves and chutneys? Here’s what you need to know, PLUS a bunch of recipes for making fruit spreads at home.
Canning Jams, Jellies, and Other Preserves (And 100+ Recipes to Get You Started!)Read More
