Can anyone tell me if it`s really hard...

I bought cases of canning jars at my church`s bazar last year...
I`ve been thinking about it for years...but I have the impression that it`s so easy to do something wrong and the food in the jars will spoil...:(

I just feel insecure about all this canning stuff...

How many of you do it? Is it easy or is it hard? Any of you have special tips or advice about how to go about it? Or what I read at canning sites or canning books is simple and straight forward?

:confused: So many questions, so many doubts on my ability to do this.

Someone tell me the truth or just reassure about all this!;)

Lucie! You have four boys too! cool me too! lol Aint it a blast???(more like a barrel of monkeys! )

As far as canning..its not really hard...its just time consuming...Ive done it..(along-side my mother to make sure I got it right) its not so bad....just make sure you dont skip any steps..LOL
Here is an article that might help..its from Mother Earth News(luv them)
CANNING 101 (http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1594/6_12/79575257/p1/article.jhtml?term=%2BCanning+%2Band+%2Bpreserving+%2BTechnique)

I started out with jelly, when my kids were small. They are grown up now with children of their own. If they lived through my canning, it can't be too hard to do! I am a real dud in the kitchen!

You can get the Ball canning book. This is the greatest book for canning vegetables etc. I've made jelly, applesauce, tomato sauce, pear butter, salsa, hot sauce and pickles all from following the recipes from this book. I can post the address to send for it. i don't know if they have a website. You can email me privately if you would like at wife228@bright.net

Anna

http://www.homecanning.com/

this is the place to check out for Ball canning information.
good luck and happy canning.:smball: :smball: :smball: :smball: :angel: :smball: ;)

I have to second wife28's idea. I have that book and it is very good. I really wouldn't can without help or a book. Other poster was right also, jelly or jam is a great place to start.

I also canned at my mothers knee, slave labor. I think I have peeled a truck load of peaches and snapped a ton of beans. lol

Just have fun and enjoy it--ban all men from the kitchen (house) for the day, play the radio loud and just wait for the pops.

lmao @ slave labor!

Trust me you will KNOW when it isnt good,lol The smell will be the tell tale sign.
I live by my Blue Ball canning guide. It gives you times, steps and recipes. I got mine at Wal mart last year for $6.95. You can also check your local libary for it or even ebay :)
~Michele~

Oh, canning is so much fun! I was skeptical too when I first started. The posts here as well as the Ball canning book and the home-canning site mentioned are great resources. Both my Aunt Pat and my grandmother did home-canning all during my lifetime. Aunt Pat still does at the age of 77 -- canned pears, apricots, jam, jelly, sweet chili sauce, pickles. Now I do the sweet chili sauce (basically a tomato relish) as well as apricot-pineapple jam. I also do home-canned cranberry sauce. It can be a time-consuming process if you are not organized with supplies, but it is so rewarding.

If anyone would like the recipes for jam, chili sauce, or cranberry sauce, I would be glad to post them. JUST REMIND ME!!

Julie

:D

Canning is lots of fun. Start with something easy first, to see if you like it. Then if you do try something a little harder. I would start with something in a water bath, cause pressure canner cost a lot, so make sure you want to can first.
When winter comes & you eat the stuff you can that is when ya feel the best. When you can, you know what you have put in it not like that store bought stuff that have name you can't even say. *L*:paw:

Cruise the thrift shops, yard sales and curbside mall for a pressure canner. I got mine for free. You need a pressure cooker for low acid veggies like corn and green beans. You can get canning supplies at the dollar store. Get a jar lifter thingy to get your jars out of the water! I'd recommend getting supplies now, later this summer they'll be more scarce.

Many vegetables freeze well. I got a FoodSaver for Christmas and I plan on freezing tomatoes, corn, zucchini and whatever else comes up in my garden this year.

Julie,

Can I have that chili sauce recipe?

Thanks

Sure, Karen -- will try to get it posted this week!

Julie
:D