News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Canning season is now in full gear for many Upper Cumberland residents, a southern tradition that lives on.
Canning is a process used to preserve and store produce. Putnam County UT Extension Director Michelle Parrott said that canning produce is essential to the Upper Cumberland.
“The majority of our fruits and veggies are done you know by the time fall begins here,” Parrott said. “And so people grow your gardens and you put a lot of work and effort and money and time into that garden and so you want to be able to enjoy those things during the summer months but also be able to preserve them to be able to have throughout the winter.”
Parrott said the best canning guides to follow are the ones tested by the University of Tennessee. If you are interested in getting into canning, you can reach out to your local county extension office. Parrott said they can provide lessons and equipment inspections to help people during the canning process.
Angie Glascock is Owner and Operator of Farmstead Market in the Brotherton Community. She said canning can help you save money.
“I think it a lot safer than it used to be,” Glascock said. “Most water, most jams and jellies, and high acid fruits and vegetables are safe in a water bath canner, and some lower acid things such as green beans, if you’re going to do your own corn and can it, that’s safe in a pressure canner and the pressure canners are a lot safer than they used to be.”
Some common mistakes people make when canning are not following directions and poorly prepared produce.
“You start with good quality, clean, mold-disease-free vegetables or fruits,” Glascock said. “You wash them and you get any bacteria or mold that you can see off of them.”
Parrott said she gets fulfillment from opening the pantry and seeing the food she grew.
“I do think it’s nice to be able to have those foods that you can go in your pantry and say hey this is you know my green beans, this is my corn, or whatever that might be,” Parrott said. “And have that to feed your family.”
