The Ultimate Guide to Perserving & Canning

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Whether you are a gardener, a fan of farmers’ markets, or just someone who likes to browse the bountiful produce at the supermarket, canning and preserving are easy, fun, and affordable ways to enjoy fresh-grown foods all year long. This book provides all the information you need to know to get started today, including basic steps to canning foods safely and easily; recipes for preserving everything from tomatoes and jams to soups, sauces, and other hearty meals; and tips on how to find the freshest local produce. Clear, easy-to-follow instructions with color photographs make this a must-have book.

The recipes include lots of preparations, both savory and sweet, and they range from blue-ribbon classics like dilly beans, sweet gherkins, applesauce, strawberry jam, and sauerkraut to new creations like Lavender Apple Butter, Raspberry-Rhubarb Sauce, Green Tomato Chutney, and Hibiscus Lime Jelly. A special chapter introduces readers to jam- and jelly-making using Pomona’s pectin, which requires little to no added sugar—thereby letting the natural sweetness of the fruit shine through beautifully.

This comprehensive book teaches beginners how to get started and gives seasoned veterans new techniques and recipes to try.

My thoughts-

Not too long ago, a good friend taught me how to can fruit preserves. It was definitely hard work but I am still enjoying the fruits of that labor a few months later which makes it well worth it. I have always been intimidated to can because I am afraid I will mess something up and get everyone sick, but after canning with my friend and seeing step by step how it works, I am ready to try more canning recipes! I love that The Ultimate Guide to Preserving & Canning gives you lots of tips at the beginning for successful canning. I also thought that many of the recipes got a modern update which is nice since I like to try new things. There are also traditional recipes which I definitely want to try as well. I thought there was a nice variety of recipes to try and I can not wait to get into my kitchen and give them a go! I recommend this book to anyone looking to start canning or someone who already has mastered the art but wants some updated recipes.