Fall is a fabulous time of year. It\u2019s the time of year when fresh, local produce is available.\u00a0 A successful hunting trip may provide you with extra meat for your family.\u00a0 You may want to can, freeze, or dehydrate foods for enjoyment during Wyoming\u2019s cold winter months.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When selecting foods to preserve, choose those at the peak of ripeness.\u00a0 Using under or over-ripe foods will produce a less flavorful product and can compromise the quality of your preserved food.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Take the time to learn about food preservation before you begin to preserve foods.\u00a0 Be certain home canned foods you choose to eat have been properly processed.\u00a0 Bacteria in these foods can cause mild to severe illness, even death.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
There are several choices of methods to preserve food: canning, freezing and dehydrating.\u00a0 As you choose your food preservation method, some important factors to consider include storage space for equipment and preserved food. \u00a0Freezing requires space for the freezer itself and for the food in the freezer.\u00a0 Foods will keep best in an upright or chest freezer that is separate from your refrigerator.\u00a0 The freezer that is attached to a refrigerator is typically a frost-free freezer and will be more likely to freezer burn (remove moisture from your frozen food).\u00a0 Canning requires a large boiling water kettle, steam canner, or pressure canner, and space for jars of canned foods in a cool, dark, dry place.\u00a0 A food dehydrator will take up about as much space as a canner; however, the food will require the least space in comparison to other preserved foods.\u00a0 Dehydrated foods can be stored in glass or plastic containers or plastic bags (freezer bags are heavier than regular storage bags, making them more durable), or you can use a vacuum sealing system to remove the air from the bag, which will increase the time you can store the food.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The intended purpose of the food will help to determine the best method of preservation.\u00a0 Dehydrated fruits and vegetables make lightweight, easy-to-transport, and eat snacks. Canned and frozen foods are great for use in recipes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n