Canning is something that’s always been on my radar, yet intimidates me. Last summer, I got my feet wet and tried some low-sugar strawberry jam. The results were great and I knew I should branch out and try canning even more.
When the good folks at Ball sent me a Canning Discovery Kit, it was just the inspiration and motivation I needed.
Saturday was National Can-it-Forward Day, and Ball had live demonstrations via webcam on their website. You can watch the canning demonstrations here. There are demonstrations for how to can mixed berry jam, kosher dill pickles, pepper jelly, and tomatoes.
Now I just need to decide where to start. I would love to make and can fresh salsa with some of the tomatoes from my CSA box. Or should I preserve the delicious summer peaches I love so much? Or maybe I should make pickles from the extra CSA cucumbers I get? So many possibilities!
The intimidation factor is definitely less now that I have the right tools at my fingertips. Ball would like to help one reader get started, too. They have offered to giveaway one case of jars to a reader.
Would you like to win that case of jars? Of course you would! Even if you aren’t into canning (yet?!), Ball jars are great for so many things around the house, including storing grains or nuts, gift-giving, and even decoration.
To enter, simply leave me a comment telling me if you’ve ever canned before and what you’d like to do with the case of jars if you win. I will pick a winner Monday, July 23rd. Good luck!
Ball sent me a Canning Discovery Kit free of charge, but I was not compensated for this post. The giveaway is hosted by Ball.
Awesome giveaway! I’ve canned with my mom-in-law. We made jellies, green beans, black-eyed peas and soup stock. The soup stock was made with corn, carrots, green beans, potatoes that we chopped up & canned. Then we had it throughout the winter for soups & stews…nice! I’d love to try it by myself 🙂
I made canned apple butter a few years back…I’m not sure I did it right, but it tasted great anyway! I would love to can some pickles for my kids!!
I’m intimidated by canning as well, but would love to try it!
Maybe this is exactly what I need to finally inspire me to make homemade salsa or pickles. There is also a good chance it would just be a way to organize my rice, quinoa, seeds and other things like that. Whatever, I would totally make use of these jars!
I have never canned before because it scares me so much – I have friends who do jams and pickels and all kinds of things. I want to learn because then I can enjoy all the things I love year round – and it’s so much less expensive and healthier for my family.
I tried to make some cherry jam with the abundance of cherries in our CSA share last year. I didn’t follow the recipe exactly and it didn’t set. I’d love to try again. I love the idea of making homeade jam and jelly!
That would be wonderful! I canned strawberry jam twice and also peach jam. I want to can pickles for the first time and would love that size jar. When I give jam to teachers or others, I don’t usually get my jars back.;-)
New fan on Pinterest & FB too.
Susan Faia Eaton – FB page
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My Mom was the ultimate canner I I would love to try to accomplish some of what she did, tomatoes, salsa, peaches, pears, pickles and jams. I have been intimidated and she is no longer here for support. Decided that this year I will do tomatoes!!
I canned in my highschool FACS class with the most amazing teacher ever—- however, now I’m a tad afraid to give it a go on my own. This would be the jumpstart I need.
Mmmmm, canned peaches 🙂 LOVE!
I’ve been wanting to try canning for some time now, but I’ve been too chicken. Winning would be just the motivation I need!
I would love to make and can pickled garlic. I have an amazing recipe that I’ve been waiting to try.
The 4oz. Ball jelly jars were wonderful for freezing baby food in. Now that we’re out of that phase I would love to put all those extra jars to use with preserved summer produce.
I would love to win the canning kit! I have never canned before, but I would really like to make homemade low sugar jam for my son to put on pb&j sandwiches and all sors of things! Thanks for your posts, you have helped mte to try so many new things:)
I’ve never canned before,but I’d love to start!
I canned tomatoes last summer with the help of my sister-in-law. We could use the case of jars to can all the tomatoes in our garden this year.
Hello! I have been talking to so many friends this summer about the fact that I would love to learn how to can food, not only that, my daughter is moving out to start college and I am moving on to a fresh start in life as well, I told her I thought we should purchase a case of Mason jars to share and use for drinking glasses, I think that’s really cute. This would be an awesome little push-start from the universe for us! Thanks for the opportunity!!
~ Lesa
My mom does jelly from her grapes and pomegranate. It is very yummy! I am inspired to try making my own grape jelly with my home grapes this year! These jars would be perfect. And if that fails, I have 3 books with direction on how to make jar gifts. Every year I try and give homemade gifts that come from the heart. Having the jars would be an excellent start!! Oh Mayea, you are such and inspirational person!!
I used to assist my mom with canning when I was young, when I was 13 I learned to can on my own and canned over 200 quarts of tomatoes, peaches, and pears on summer/fall. I’ve done a bit of canning off and on since then. I married about a year ago and keep saying I need to start stocking up on my own canning supplies. Maybe this will be my chance! I’m hoping to try my hand at salsa and apple pie filling in the near future.
I remember making jam with my mom when I was little. I’ve never canned before on my own-and would love to! Especially yummy jellies. :o)
I’ve never canned, but I used to watch my grandmother! I would love to can some pears or salsa!