Preserving Your Summer Harvest: Keeping Tomatoes, Peaches, Berries and More All Year Long

Memories of Canning

One of my cherished memories revolves around my childhood, particularly the warmth and care offered by my mother during my bouts of illness. Staying home from school was always softened by her nurturing, including comfort dishes such as chicken soup, buttered toast, and her famous preserved peaches. Those sweet, sun-ripened peaches not only soothed my sore throat but also kindled a lifelong love for home preservation.

In retrospect, I am thankful for those canning adventures in our modest kitchen. I can still visualize that long shelf in our basement, lined with vividly colored jars of canned fruits and vegetables, each one reflecting the labor and love that went into every preserving season.

A Preserving Primer

With a recent uptick in home gardening, especially since 2020, the art of preserving home-grown food has made a sensational comeback. This renewed interest is fueled not only by the satisfaction of self-sustainability but also by the proximity of abundant local produce through grocery stores, farmers markets, and seasonal farm stands. As Laura Griffin, a county extension specialist at Colorado State University, states, “Choosing what to preserve can be simple, given the availability of homegrown delights to work with this season.”

Navigating the plethora of preservation methods available can be daunting. One has to weigh the best techniques against time and skill levels:

• Freezing is the quickest method to keep foods vibrant and edible. A simple blanching of vegetables before freezing can lock in flavor and color.
• Drying is another method that removes moisture, thus hindering bacterial growth.
• Fermentation, one of the oldest preservation techniques, utilizes salt or brine to create an environment conducive to the growth of safe bacteria and beneficial probiotics, ensuring foods remain both tasty and healthy.
• Canning either through water baths for high-acid foods or pressure for low-acid varieties is a staple preservation method that yields a varied pantry for the colder months.
• Pickling immerses food in vinegar solutions, effectively keeping spoilage at bay while creating unique flavor profiles.

When preserving, ensure you use high-quality ingredients at their peak ripeness.

Recipes to Savor

Let’s explore mouthwatering recipes that capitalize on your preserved bounty, giving life to summertime produce long into the winter.

Savory Corn Pudding

Although simple, Savory Corn Pudding is the epitome of comfort food. Experience the sweet bounty of Olathe’s famed corn all year.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ⅓ cup salted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 6 cups fresh corn kernels
• ⅓ cup chopped sweet onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, and melted butter. Mix everything with corn and blend thoroughly. Bake in a greased 13-by-9 inch dish for about 40 minutes, until set.

A classic dish perfect for summer gatherings.

Hays House Peach Pie

Indulge in the delicate sweetness of fresh peaches from the renowned Palisade, where orchards overflow during peak season.

Ingredients and Directions: Use the crust and filling for eight peaches. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-17 minutes until golden. Serve with whipped cream for an irresistible dessert.

Sweetness in every slice.

Kosher Dill Pickle Spears

Perfect for summer barbecues, canning pickles is a delightful way to preserve that crunch!

Ingredients:

• 2½ pounds pickling cucumbers
• 2½ cups water
• 2 cups white vinegar
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup pickling salt
• Dill and garlic cloves, to taste

Directions: Prepare your canning jars by sterilizing them. Wash cucumbers thoroughly before preparing your brine. After combining the brine ingredients, process your filled jars in a boiling water canner until perfectly preserved.

Crunchy and tart, these are a must-have on any charcuterie board.

Grape Jelly

Harness the delightful sweetness of Concord grapes. Utilize a stovetop juice steamer for optimal results, following traditional water bath canning procedures for that homemade touch.

Perfect for spreading on toast or as a pie filling.

Resources for Preservation

Consider exploring additional resources for optimal food preservation techniques. Colorado State University’s Food Science and Human Nutrition Extension offers extensive guidance, while the National Center for Home Food Preservation provides comprehensive insights on canning and recipe ideas.

The art of preserving your garden’s bounty opens the door to a plethora of homemade treasures. Don’t hesitate to experiment with various methods, engage local resources, and preserve not just food, but the love and memories tied to each bite.

Conclusion: Why Preserve?

Ultimately, the quest to preserve is not just about food security but also about deep-rooted traditions that nourish the soul. As you expand your kitchen endeavors, remember to savor not just the end product but the journey—each canning session is a chance to reflect, share stories, and create fresh memories.

Preserving allows us to celebrate the fruits of our labor and enjoy them long into the chill of winter. Happy preserving!