Over the last few years we have started planting an organic garden. Every year it gets a little better and a little better and this year we planted our first few blueberry bushes. So needless to say I am super excited when we finally able to start pulling from them!
As with learning to organic garden, I have also been learning to preserve/can. I grew up with our family planting a huge garden, but like most kids I would help pick a little and never paid any attention when the adults would all get together and can. It has been a learning experience for sure!
This is the first year that we have had success with tomatoes and I’m excited to see what next growing season will bring. We know we will be once again expanding our gardening space and I hope to have a big enough garden so that I don’t have to purchase veggies in order to can!
Last year was my first year with preserving and I did salsa, blueberry jam and strawberry jam. The salsa did alright but I apparently did something wrong in the process and my jams never really set up the way they should.
I think it would be fair to say that I have failed more than succeeded when it comes to canning and preserving!! However, this year I have been blessed with the opportunity to try out the FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System and LOVE it!! It has added a lot less stress to my canning adventures and everything comes out perfect! It basically takes all the guess workout out of canning using SmartPRESERVE technology. It automatically senses and monitors time and temperature for each recipe which is pretty awesome!
Features of the Ball FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System 116852
- Pre-Heats your jars-Takes a quick 12 minutes. Leave your jars in the canning system until you are ready
- Comes with the jar lifter, jar rack and removeable inner pot that is all dishwasher safe.
- Includes a recipe book that has over 26 canning recipes from Jams & Preserves, to Tomatoes and Pickles, as well as some great meal ideas!
- Pre-programmed food and recipe buttons takes all of the confusing guesswork out of canning.
- Each recipe is up to 30% faster which means it isn’t an all day process!
- Operates on any flat surface that is near an outlet
- Holds 6 half pints, 4 pints, or 3 quarts in one batch. Just always be sure to change out the water!
Also, on Saturday August 16, Jarden Home Brands will host the first annual International Can-It-Forward Day with special guest renowned chef and Bravo’s Top Chef judge, Hugh Acheson! A day to celebrate home canning, International Can-It-Forward Day allows food enthusiasts to connect via a variety of online and in-person activities. New and experienced canners can participate in a live webcast on www.frespreserving.com, taking place on ground in Brooklyn Borough Hall Farmers Market, filled with canning demos where viewer questions will be answered in real-time by Chef Acheson and other experts while they learn the most popular (and delicious) home canning recipes. Twenty five farmers markets across the country will also be hosting Can-It-Forward Day celebrations!
The Ball FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System 116852
- The Ball Canning Discovery Kit : A kit designed to demystify the home canning process and make fresh preserving accessible for even the most novice canner (Retail value $11.99)
- The New Limited Edition Spring Green Heritage Collection Jars (2 cases): These limited edition jars commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Ball brothers’ “Perfection” Jar and come in a beautiful green tint. These are being produced only in 2014 and are available in both pint and quart varieties.
- $100 FreshPreservingStore.com Gift Certificate!!
