Any home canners out there?

[murphymom]

We have fruit trees in our yard, apples, pears and Italian plums and we have gotten more fruit than we can use fresh so the squirrels get most of it.

Does anyone can without sugar? I'm diabetic and would rather water or juice pack. How does your stuff come out?

I'll probably try canning applesauce and some pears using a boiling water bath method if we get a decent crop this year.

I'd love to try doing pickles or pickled peppers, too. Some of the farms stands locally sell cukes and tomatoes in bulk for home canners.

[eleny]

1. Here's some info I found

Here are some canning recipes for diabetics http://www.recipezaar.com/r/85/155

And this site talks about sugar in fruit canning. Looks like you don't need it. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5352.html
They say: "Fruit can be safely canned without sugar for the diabetic or reduced-calorie diet. Sugar is generally added to canned fruit to improve flavor, help stabilize color, and retain the shape of the fruit. Sugar does not act as a preservative in canned fruit. Fruit canned without added sugar will be somewhat softer than a similar product packed in syrup. Flavor changes and loss of color may also be expected. The fruit still contains natural sugars, which must be considered in the diabetic diet."

The fruit cannin info is mid page.

[murphymom]

2. Thanks!

I'm going to try and gather my information together now so I'm ready later this summer when the fruit's ripe. Right now the trees are just starting to blossom.

[China_cat]

3. Being diabetic

wouldn't freezing be a better alternative?

[murphymom]

4. Unfortunately

I don't really have the freezer room. That's why I am interested in canning. Also, once you've canned the product, there's no ongoing energy consumption to keep it preserved. With a freezer, you've got to pay the energy bill to run the thing.

[China_cat]

6. Having grown up with canning

and the results of even small inattentions, I just get very nervous about it.

[Shakespeare]

7. What makes you nervous?

The potential for contimination, or something else?

I've just started doing tons of canning (and making jellies and preserves) the last few years, and I've found it incredibly easy. The most important thing to remember is to keep all your glassware sterile, sterile, sterile.

I've greatly expanded my vegetable garden this year (and staked out some great wild blackberry and blueberry brambles), so I anticipate doing exponentially more canning this summer and fall.

[China_cat]

8. having seen what the contamination can do

and how easy it is for something to go wrong.

Jams and jellies are a whole different prospect.

[Shakespeare]

10. Like I said, sterility is of the utmost importance. n/t

[Shakespeare]

5. This book is a MUST have for you!

It's the best $4.95 I've ever spent--and I'm amazed Ball still sells it so cheaply.

http://www.homecanning.com/usa/ALOrder.asp?CAT=479&P=2576

It's got pretty much everything you need to know about canning, including diabetic-friendly recipes. It's a great way to preserve food, and without all the processed crap you get when you buy commercially.

[murphymom]

9. Thanks!

I think I'll order it!

[fortyfeetunder]

11. I second that!

That is a great book for home canning. I am going to can more fruit this fall and can't wait!

[Eloriel]

12. I'm hoping to do a lot more canning and freezing this year

LOTS. And I also want to expand my garden even more so that next year I'm growing most of our food, I think. that may be a stretch, but it's a worthy goal.