Preserving food at home is a valuable skill that can help reduce food waste and keep your pantry stocked with healthy, nutrient-rich ingredients year-round. Whether you want to save your summer harvest or enjoy seasonal produce all year, learning how to can, ferment, and dehydrate food is a rewarding and sustainable practice.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of food preservation, perfect for those just starting out.
1. Choose Your Preservation Method
The first step to preserving food is selecting the right method for your needs and the types of foods you want to store. Here are the most popular methods:
- Canning: Ideal for storing fruits, vegetables, jams, and sauces. Canning involves sealing food in jars and using heat to ensure long-term preservation.
- Fermenting: This natural method uses beneficial bacteria to pickle vegetables, make sauerkraut, and brew kombucha.
- Dehydrating: Great for fruits, vegetables, and herbs, dehydration removes moisture, making food shelf-stable for months.
If you're a beginner, canning for beginners is a great place to start because it’s simple and perfect for preserving everything from fresh tomatoes to homemade jams.
2. Gather the Right Equipment
Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary tools. For canning, you’ll need:
- Canning jars with lids and rings
- A large pot for water bath canning (used for high-acid foods like fruits and tomatoes)
- A jar lifter and funnel
- Recipes
If fermenting is your focus, gather:
- Mason jars with lids or special fermenting lids
- Fresh vegetables like cucumbers or cabbage
- Salt to start the fermentation process
3. Prioritize Safety
When preserving food, safety is key. Always use a trusted recipe from a reliable source to guarantee the correct ratios of food, water, salt, and acid. For canning, follow tested recipes to ensure safe preservation, especially with low-acid foods like vegetables, which require pressure canning.
4. Start Small and Simple
If you’re just starting out, begin with small batches. Try canning a few jars of pickles or making your first batch of sauerkraut. This allows you to get familiar with the process without being overwhelmed by a larger project.
5. Enjoy Your Homemade Preserves
Once preserved, store your jars in a cool, dark place, and enjoy the benefits of homemade pickles, jams, and vegetables all year long. Not only does food preservation cut down on waste, but it also gives you access to locally grown, healthier food, regardless of the season.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re excited to dive deeper into food preservation and learn more about traditional food preparation, check out Wylder Space’s Nourishing Traditions online Course, launching December 2, 2024. This course will guide you through canning, fermenting, and more, helping you master sustainable living practices. Join us and learn how to reconnect with your food, your roots, and the land.
