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.
This tomato chutney recipe is one of my favorite ways to preserve an abundant tomato crop from the vegetable garden. It’s sweet & tangy & full of flavor.
Make this Sweet and Savory Tomato Chutney to Preserve the HarvestRead More
With no added sugar, this slow cooker spiced apple butter recipe is a delicious way to preserve the flavors of fall.
Sugar-Free Slow Cooker Apple Butter Recipe Easy Enough for Busy PeopleRead More
Did you know you can replicate canned food at home? Or make your own freeze dried snacks from fresh fruit? Check out these food preservation methods & eat well!
Home Food Preservation Methods for Saving the Flavor of SummerRead More
This simple salsa recipe is a good “beginner” recipe for home canning. Canning salsa is one of our favorite ways to preserve the summer tomato bounty.
Make This Home Canned Salsa from Garden Fresh Tomatoes and PeppersRead More
This watermelon rind relish recipe is a great way to use watermelon rinds for a knock-off old fashioned hamburger relish! A no-waste recipe for good food!
Watermelon Rind Relish Makes the Most of the Entire Fruit!Read More
Even if you don’t have ripe grapes on hand, you can whip up a batch of jelly. This grape jelly recipe can be made even in the winter with this little trick.
Easy Homemade Grape Jelly Recipe for Canning or FreezingRead More
Trying to avoid plastic? Freezing mason jars is a safe & easy method of storing food, making meals ahead of time or preserving produce – if it’s done right.
Passion fruit jelly is a staple on Hawaii breakfast tables, but it’s easy to make your own! This tropical spread is great on toast or in shortbread cookies.
Passion Fruit Jelly: How to Turn Lilikoi into a Tropical Breakfast SpreadRead More
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
