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Food Preparation
UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article
Canning previously frozen tomatoes is not safe in all situations When your vines are producing tomatoes like crazy (or the farmers markets have end-of-season bargains that are simply too good to pass up), keeping up with canning them before the fruits become overripe or spoil can be a challenge…
Tomatoes from frost-killed vines are not for canning As the weather turns cooler and overnight temperatures dip, you may find yourself scrambling to pick the last of your tomato crop. If a frost kills the vines before you get to them all, are the remaining fruits safe for canning? The short answer is no…
Lower acidity in overripe tomatoes makes them unsafe to can Care should always be taken when choosing produce for canning. It should be fresh, of good quality, and not overripe. This is especially important for tomatoes. The acidity of tomatoes varies during the growing season, and if overripe, they can…
Vinegar powder is a versatile condiment, but it is not for canning Vinegar powder is dehydrated vinegar to which carrying or bulking ingredients are added (such as maltodextrin, which is a modified corn starch). Available in white, apple cider, malt, and other vinegar types, these powders are used by…
Safe food handling helps prevent illness All fruits and vegetables should be washed prior to consuming. But raw meat, poultry or fish should NOT be washed. This may seem counter-intuitive or contrary to what you’ve previously been taught, but times change and so do food handling recommendations. …
Quick tips for handling fresh fruits and vegetables All fruits and vegetables should be washed prior to consuming, even if the skins or rinds won’t be eaten. Washing produce helps to remove dirt and bacteria not only from surfaces, but also prevents bacteria from being carried into the food when cut…
Button mushrooms yes; wild mushrooms no. Mushrooms are a low-acid food. To be safely canned, they must be properly acidified (pickled) or processed in a pressure canner.There are other safety considerations as well: Only domestic button mushrooms may be safely canned. Wild mushrooms (whether wild…
Preserve it! Time for a Review Before planning this year’s garden or trips to the farmers market, let’s look at your pantry and freezer with a keen eye. Take stock of what you preserved last season and what you have consumed up to this point. If, by this time of the year, you have an abundance of…
Monica Gross, Los Angeles Co., Online Delivery Program VolunteerDehydration is one of the earliest preservation methods developed by humankind. There is evidence from Middle Eastern and Asian cultures that dehydration was used as a method of preservation as far back as 12,000 BCE. The hot sun was harnessed…
Chocolate paired with cherries is a match made in heaven. With the California cherry season approaching, consider making this delicious and decadent jam. Use it as an ice-cream topping, stir it into yogurt, use it to frost brownies, or top a cheesecake! The possibilities are endless. …
