Canners-I need your help

[rachel1496]

I'm thinking of making apple butter to go in the Christmas baskets this year. I usually make it and then freeze it, I've never canned before. What do I need to start out? What do you wish you had known the first time you did it?

[karalin9]

I have no advice, but MMMMMM Apple Butter!!!!!!!! My favorite!

[rachel1496]

I've got a batch in the crockpot right now that I'm freezing for us to use. It was in there all night so I woke up to a house that smells like apples and cinnamon.

[tammy8701]

hi l hope this helps you
http://www.pickyourown.org/applebutter.htm

[swouper2]

Check out the homecanning.ca website - it's the one for Bernerdin (Canadian Mason Jar company)

There are new guidelines for food safety in canning, that I really wish I had known before I started out.

I spent WAY too much time sterilizing things before canning, which is useless, unless your home is a surgical operating room. Before they are sealed, the SECOND you lower the temp on the tools and jars you just sterilized, they are potentially exposed to bacteria again, so it's just a big waste of time. The only way to ensure that all bacteria is killed is to can them in boiling water (hot water bath) or a pressure canner for the prescribed amount of time for your type of food and altitude (all found on the site).

The good news is, you no longer have to have everything sterilized ahead of time, just make sure everything is very clean, and the jars are kept warm before filling them, then seal, hot water bath, and TADA! You have sterilized and preserved foods.

Lots of people don't do it this way, and have had no problems, but really - that is luck, and as for me, with my luck, if I use the old ways, I'd get everybody botulism for Christmas.

[Kitty77]

Rachel:
Explore the site that Swouper wrote about and follow their instructions. Look for canning jars at thrift stores and yard sales, and just buy new lids and jar rings. Be very careful when using a Pressure Canner. Nothing makes you feel so good as to admire a shelf full of home made jars of tomatoes, relish, jams, etc. Have fun, its a lot of work, but worth it in the end!

[swouper2]

Oh - like Kitty77 said - don't pay for jars at a store - I actually got most of my jars for 2$ a dozen or less - I just posted on my local Craigs list a wanted ad - and I had lots given to me for free.

Inspect used jars well, if they have a chip on the top from people using knives to open the jars, the seal won't stay, and they could shatter when canning.

[swouper2]

Do we get apple butter for the advice???

It sounds so yummy - and I checked out Tammy8701's site - I'm inspired, maybe I'll give it a try, I've got lots of applesauce canned already.

[belle67]

I'm thinking of making apple butter to go in the Christmas baskets this year. I usually make it and then freeze it, I've never canned before. What do I need to start out? What do you wish you had known the first time you did it?

I don't suppose you could share your recipe? I haven't come across a good one yet.

[rachel1496]

Do we get apple butter for the advice???

It sounds so yummy - and I checked out Tammy8701's site - I'm inspired, maybe I'll give it a try, I've got lots of applesauce canned already.

Oh it's so easy, especially with the crockpot. I just threw it together last night, turned on the crockpot and went to bed.

If I could give you apple butter I would . It's cheaper and better than the apple butter you buy in the store. I'm a big fan of homemade jams and sauces because I can control how much sugar goes in them. My dad's a diabetic so when I make freezer jam I always make it without adding sugar so he can have some too.

Thanks for all the advice from everyone, it's not nearly as daunting as I thought it would be. No pressure canner here though, appliances with the word "pressure" in the name intimidate me.

[rachel1496]

I don't suppose you could share your recipe? I haven't come across a good one yet.

Sure. I pretty much stole it from an episode of Chef at Home and then tweaked it. Michael Smith would be so proud, he's always telling you to change his recipes to how you want them.

10 apples, cored and cut into quarters
1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of apple cider or apple juice
1 tsp of ground cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice
splash of vanilla

Toss it all in the slow cooker and stir. Turn the slow cooker on low and walk away (I go to bed). After 8 hours or so puree it with an immersion blender, or a regular blender, food processor or food mill, whatever you have. Put it back in the slow cooker but leave the lid off. Let it cook down, stirring every so often, until it reaches the thickness you want.

I really like the slow cooker for things like jams and sauces because I find them to be a lot more user friendly, I've never had a batch burn in the slow cooker. It doesn't make a ton so I'll probably double the recipe when I make it to can.

[Kitty77]

Rachel:
Good advice from Swouper about any jars with chips around the top, discard those ones. Over the years have noticed that sometimes after Christmas Walmart puts the lids & jar rings on sale. If you use Hellman's and think Kraft Mayo, the big jars, the plastic lids fit on the canning jars with the small mouth, so once the jar is opened replace with a plastic lid while storing in the fridge, frees up your canning jar rings, I usually discard the metal jar lid as once used gets bent when you open the jar. I use the Old fashioned Mason jars with glass lids to store dry goods sugar, oatmeal, whatever, can pick those up at thrift stores & Yard sales also. Applebutter sounds wonderful, and like you say, you are in control of what goes into your jars, less sugar or none and NO salt, unless its pickles or relish.

[belle67]

Wow thanks Rachel! It sounds yummy and easy. I like Michael Smith's shows too!

[Toronto Gal]

Oh yes canning is alot of work. A girlfriend and I spent 1 full weekend recently canning OMG it was tiring but so much fun once you get into it. We did everything under the sun jams, relish, tomato sauce, whole tomatoes, jellies, meats, and so much more.

[Kitty77]

Toronto Gal: That was awesome, sure makes you feel good to stock up with good things from your own kitchen!!! Way to go and saves money too!!