Know How You Can Benefit From Canning

Last March, the world seemed to come to a halt as the pandemic flooded the news and caused a panic amongst many. When most ran to the grocery store to stock up, we took great comfort knowing our freezer was full of wild game and our pantry full of preservatives. We have grown so accustomed to the conveniences of modern living but what happens if that was all taken away? Even if you don’t want to become a serious canner, you can’t argue the value in at least knowing how to be self sufficient. Some hard work to be prepared for years to come. 

It doesn’t take long to realize the savings to be had when you preserve your harvest. Yes, it requires more time and effort, but the benefits far outweigh the hours I will spend canning. In the past I have calculated the savings even from purchasing a couple bushel of tomatoes from a local farmer, compared to the equivalent grocery store cost of pasta sauces, salsas, and diced tomatoes. The savings were significant not to mention the taste and ingredients far superior. Even simply buying produce in season when it is cheap and plentiful for preserving can be an economical way to stock the pantry. 

Knowing what you’re eating and feeding your family is a great comfort to us and many alike. In a time when so many additives and preservatives consume most products, it is satisfying seeing each ingredient added to your jars by your own two hands. Preserving the best fruits and vegetables at their prime while capturing the nutrition that encompasses them. Not to mention, knowing how the fruit or vegetables have been grown, free of harsh chemicals. 

Without bias, I can honestly say that there is a significant difference in the taste of home canned preserves compared to the ones you find lining the grocery aisle. Even recipes as simple as preserving diced tomatoes absolutely burst with flavour with very little effort and even fewer ingredients. 

Often, I am driven to learn new skills simply so that I can pass them on to future generations. Many skills that were once a necessity have faded in importance over the last several decades. I take pride in educating myself and others so that we can pass them on to our children and hopefully they will pass it on to theirs. There is nothing more satisfying to me then having my family gathered around the kitchen all working steadily together to fill the pantry for many months to come. 

Living off the land comes in so many forms from gardening, to hunting, foraging, and preserving your produce. It is not “easy” but the benefits are endless.