Someone HELP MEEEEEE!!!

[nvmommyx6]

OK, through volunteering at my food bank, I ended up with 2 cases of fresh, bagged baby carrots this morning to can!!!
The only problem, I do not have a pressure canner!!! So, I need someone to help me with....can I can these bad boys with my regular water bath canner and how do I go about that???????

[Patty A]

I wouldn't can them. I would peel, cut or dice them and freeze them. It quick and easy and they work great. Not near as much work as canning, and you can pull them out and use them for soups, stews, just cooked carrots, or mashed. Its fast and very easy.

[Russ]

quick search says you can not water bath can them but you can freeze them.

To Freeze Carrots they must be blanched. Blanching (scalding vegetables in boiling water or steam for a short time) is a must for almost all vegetables to be frozen. Blanching slows or stops enzyme action which can cause loss of flavor, color and texture.

Select young, tender, medium length carrots. Remove tops, wash and peel.

Leave small carrots whole. Cut others into thin slices, 1/4-inch cubes or lengthwise strips.

Water blanch small whole carrots for 5 minutes, diced or sliced 2 minutes and lengthwise strips 2 minutes.

Cool promptly in ice water for 5 minutes, drain and package leaving 1/2- inch head space. Seal in zip closure freezer bags and freeze. For detailed instructions on blanching see Beans.

Good score btw..

[canadamom]

They also make wonderful cheap doggie treats.

[Russ]

Good point canadamom. Our dogs love em!

[madhen]

Yes, low acid foods, so bad juju to can them without a pressure canner. You can also slice them up and dry them, for future use in soups and such.

Or shred them and use them for carrot breads.

My goats and donkeys would be eyeing you enviously if you walked out amongst them with a bag of baby carrots. (Actually, they'd be mobbing you, but you get my point.)

[nvmommyx6]

Thanks Gals! I am getting ready to blanch and freeze and dry and bag lol!!!

I have a ton of work ahead of me today I spose huh?!! I end up with things like this happening often, it is a good "score"!! Last month i got 2 cases of strawberries and 2 cases of seedless red grapes I jammed and jellied, So, I figured out each jar cost 33 cents to make!!!
Though the "scores" do help and I am so blessed to get them, I run like a chicken with my head cut off for a day or two afterwords!!

[Russ]

Gals???

[madhen]

Gals???

Ooh, high praise, Russ. (Just kidding!!!)

Don't feel too badly. Someone just asked me in another post if I was their long-lost brother.

[nvmommyx6]

Gals???

Sorry, I didn't know lol
Thank you RUSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MomToTwoBoys]

quick search says you can not water bath can them but you can freeze them.



Good score btw..

Yeah that's what I do with my carrots. I just cut them into coin-shaped pieces, blanch them and then freeze them. I only use them in stews and for when I want steamed carrots, so they work really well.

[nvmommyx6]

Oh, Holy Moly!!!
I have 2 gallons of carrot juice already (which turned out really yummy by the way!)
2 Gallons of shredded carrots
2 Gallons of diced carrots
and I still have a case and a half left
LMAO, MAN am I gonna have some dang good eye sight!!!