CANNING THE GOVERNMENT WAY
EARLY in the summer a friend who was doing government extension work in
one of our New England states sent Adelaide a book on "Home Canning"
that the government had published.
Adelaide was much pleased and she and mother pored over it eagerly.
Mother picked out the "Single Period Cold-Pack" method as being the
simplest and best for a little girl.
This is what the government says--
"By the 'Single Period Cold-Pack' method it is as easy to can
vegetables as to can fruits. The prepared vegetables or fruits are
blanched in boiling water or live steam, then quickly cold-dipped and
packed at once into hot jars and sterilized in boiling water or by
steam pressure. The jars are then sealed, tested for leaks and stored."
The Single Period Cold-Pack method is a simple and sure way of canning.
It insures a good color, texture and flavor to the vegetable or fruit
canned. In using this method sterilization is completed in a single
period, saving time, fuel and labor. The simplicity of the method
commends it. Fruits are put up in syrups. Vegetables require only salt
for flavoring and water to fill the container.
Another advantage is that it is practicable to put up food in small as
well as large quantities.
Single Period Cold-Pack Equipment
_The Homemade Outfit._--A serviceable Single Period Cold-Pack canning
outfit may be made of equipment found in almost any household. Any
utensil large and deep enough to allow an inch of water above jars,
and having a closely fitting cover, may be used for sterilizing. Into
this utensil should be placed a wire or wooden rack to hold the jars
off the bottom and to permit circulation of water underneath the jars.
For lifting glass top jars use two buttonhooks or a similar device. For
lifting screw-top jars, suitable lifters may be bought for a small sum.
Containers
For home use glass jars are more satisfactory for canning. Glass jars
properly cared for will last for years. All types of jars which seal
readily may be used. Jars having glass tops held in place by bails are
especially easy to handle while they are hot.
Tops for Economy jars must be purchased new each year.
Small necked bottles can be used for holding fruit juices. Large
mouthed bottles can be used for jams, marmalades and jellies.
Tests for Jars and Rubbers
Jars should be tested before they are used. Some of the important tests
are here given:
_Glass-top Jars._--Fit top to jar. If top rocks when tapped it should
not be used on that jar. The top bail should not be too tight nor too
loose. If either too tight or too loose the bail should be taken off
and bent until it goes into place with a light snap. All sharp edges on
top and jar should be filed or scraped off.
_Screw-top Jars._--Use only enameled, lacquered or vulcanized tops.
Screw the top on tightly without the rubber. If thumb nail can be
inserted between top and jar, the top is defective. If the edge is only
slightly uneven it can be bent so that it is usable. Put on the rubber
and screw on the top tightly, and then pull the rubber out. If the
rubber returns to place the top does not fit properly and should not be
used on that jar.
_Rubbers._--Be very particular about the rubbers used. Buy new rubbers
every year as they deteriorate from one season to another. It is
always well to test rubbers when buying. A good rubber will return to
its original size when stretched. When pinched it does not crease. It
should fit the neck of the jar snugly, and be fairly wide and thick. It
is cheaper to discard a doubtful rubber than to lose a jar of canned
goods.
Grading
Vegetables and fruits should be sorted according to color, size
and ripeness. This is called grading. It insures the best pack and
uniformity of flavor and texture to the canned product, which is always
desirable.
Blanching and Cold-Dipping
The most important steps in canning are the preliminary steps of
blanching, cold-dipping, packing in hot, clean containers, adding hot
water at once, then immediately half sealing jars and putting into the
sterilizer. Spoilage of products is nearly always due to carelessness
in one of these steps. Blanching is necessary with all vegetables and
many fruits. It insures thorough cleansing and removes objectionable
odors and flavors and excess acids. It reduces the bulk of greens and
causes shrinkage of fruits, increasing the quantity which may be packed
in a container, which saves storage space.
Blanching consists of plunging the vegetables or fruits into boiling
water for a short time. For doing this place them in a wire basket or
piece of cheesecloth. The blanching time varies from one to fifteen
minutes, as shown in the time-table.
Spinach and other greens should not be blanched in hot water. They must
be blanched in steam. To do this place them in a colander and set this
into a vessel which has a tightly fitting cover. In this vessel there
should be an inch or two of water, but the water must not be allowed
to touch the greens. Another method is to suspend the greens in the
closed vessel above an inch or two of water. This may be done in a wire
basket or in cheesecloth. Allow the water to boil in the closed vessel
from fifteen to twenty minutes.
When the blanching is complete remove the vegetables or fruits from the
boiling water or steam and plunge them once or twice into cold water.
Do not allow them to stand in the cold water. This latter process is
the Cold Dip. It hardens the pulp and sets the coloring matter in the
product.
Steps in the Single Period Cold-Pack Method
In canning by the Single Period Cold-Pack method it is important that
careful attention be given to each detail. Do not undertake canning
until you have familiarized yourself with the various steps, which are
as follows:
1. Vegetables should be canned as soon as possible after being picked;
the same day is best. Early morning is the best time for gathering
them. Fruits should be as fresh as possible.
2. Before starting work have on the stove the boiler or other holder
in which the sterilizing is to be done, a pan of boiling water for use
in blanching and a kettle of boiling water for use in filling jars of
vegetables; or, if canning fruits, the syrup to be used in filling the
jars. Arrange on this working table all necessary equipment, including
instructions.
3. Test jars and tops. All jars, rubbers and tops should be clean and
hot.
4. Wash and grade product according to size and ripeness. (Cauliflower
should be soaked 1 hour in salted water, to remove insects if any are
present. Put berries into a colander and wash, by allowing cold water
to flow over them, to prevent bruising.)
5. Prepare vegetable or fruit. Remove all but an inch of the tops from
beets, parsnips and carrots and the strings from green beans. Pare
squash, remove seeds and cut in small pieces. Large vegetables should
be cut into pieces to make close pack possible. The pits should be
removed from cherries, peaches and apricots.
6. Blanch in boiling water or steam as directed.
7. Cold-dip, but do not allow product to stand in cold water at this or
any other stage.
8. Pack in hot jars which rest on hot cloths or stand in a pan of hot
water. Fill the jars to within 1/4 to 1/2 inch of tops. (In canning
berries, to insure a close pack, put a 2 or 3 inch layer of berries
on the bottom of the jar and press down gently with a wooden spoon.
Continue in this manner with other layers until jar is filled. Fruits
cut in half should be arranged with pit surface down.)
9. Add salt and boiling water to vegetables to cover them. To fruits
add hot syrup or water.
10. Place wet rubber and top on jar.
11. With a bail-top jar adjust top bail only, leaving lower bail or
snap, free. With screw top jar screw the top on lightly, using only the
thumb and little finger. (This partial sealing makes it possible for
steam generated within the jar to escape, and prevents breakage.)
12. Place the jars on rack in boiler or other sterilizer. If the
home-made hot-water bath outfit is used enough water should be in the
boiler to come at least one inch above the tops of the jars, and the
water, in boiling out, should never be allowed to drop to the level
of these tops. In using the hot-water bath outfit, begin to count
sterilizing time when the water begins to boil. Water is at the
boiling point when it is jumping or rolling all over. Water is not
boiling when bubbles merely form on the bottom or when they begin to
rise to the top. The water must be kept boiling all during the period
of sterilization.
13. Consult time table and at the end of the required sterilizing
period remove the jars from the sterilizer. Place them on a wooden rack
or on several thicknesses of cloth to prevent breakage. Complete the
sealing of jars. With bail-top jars this is done by pushing the snap
down; with screw-top jars by screwing cover on tightly.
14. Turn the jars upside down as a test for leakage and leave them in
this position till cold. Let them cool rapidly but be sure that no
draft reaches them as a draft will cause breakage. (If there is any
doubt that a bail-top jar is perfectly sealed a simple test may be made
by loosening the top bail and lifting the jar by taking hold of the top
with the fingers. The internal suction should hold the top tightly in
place when thus lifted. If the top comes off put on a new wet rubber
and sterilize 15 minutes longer for fruits.) With screw-top jars try
the tops while the jars are cooling, or as soon as they have cooled,
and, if loose, tighten them by screwing on more closely.
15. Wash and dry each jar, label and store. If storage place is exposed
to light, wrap each jar in paper, preferably brown, as light will fade
the color of products canned in glass. The boxes in which jars were
bought affords a good storage place.
Caution Against Freezing
Care should be taken to store canned vegetables and fruits where
they will be protected from freezing. If the place of storage is not
frost-proof the jars should be moved to a warmer place when the weather
becomes severe.
Time Table for Blanching and Sterilizing
The following time table shows blanching time for various vegetables
and fruits, and also sterilizing time.
=====================+====================+============
| | STERILIZING
VEGETABLES | BLANCHING +------------
| | Hot Water
---------------------+--------------------+------------
| _Minutes_ | _Minutes_
Asparagus | 10 to 15 | 120
Beets | 5 | 90
Brussels Sprouts | 5 to 10 | 120
Cabbage | 5 to 10 | 120
Cauliflower | 3 | 60
Carrots | 5 | 90
Corn | 5 to 10 | 180
Greens | 15 | 120
Lima Beans | 5 to 10 | 180
Okra | 5 to 10 | 120
Parsnips | 5 | 90
Peppers | 5 to 10 | 120
Peas | 5 to 10 | 180
Pumpkin | See directions | 120
Salsify | 5 | 90
Sauerkraut | -- | 120
String Beans | 5 to 10 | 120
Squash | See directions | 120
Tomatoes | To loosen skins | 22
| |
FRUITS | |
| |
Apples | 1-1/2 | 20
Apricots | 1 to 2 | 16
Blackberries | none | 16
Blueberries | none | 16
Dewberries | none | 16
Cherries, sweet | none | 16
Cherries, sour | none | 16
Currants | none | 16
Gooseberries | 1 to 2 | 16
Oranges | 1 to 2 | 12
Pears | 1-1/2 | 20
Peaches | To loosen skins[1] | 16 to 25
Plums | none | 16
Pineapples | 3 to 5 | 30
Quinces | 1-1/2 | 20
Raspberries | none | 16
Rhubarb | 1 to 3 | 20
Strawberries | none | 16
Fruits without sugar | -- | 30
=====================+====================+============
FOOTNOTE:
[1] Some peaches do not peel readily even if dipped in boiling water.
In such cases omit dipping in boiling water and pare them.
The time given in this table and in the special instructions is for
quart jars. For pint jars deduct 5 minutes. For 2 quart jars add 30
minutes.
The time here given is for 1 quart jars and fresh products at altitudes
up to 1,000 feet above sea level. For higher altitudes increase the
time 10 per cent for each additional 500 feet. For example, if the time
is given as 120 minutes in the table and your location is 1,500 feet
above sea level, the time should be made 132 minutes; for 2,000 feet,
144 minutes.
The time here given is for fresh, sound and firm vegetables. For
vegetables which have been gathered over 24 hours increase the time of
sterilization by adding one-fifth.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANNING VEGETABLES
The addition of 1 level teaspoonful of salt to a jar of vegetables is
for quart jars. For pint jar use 1/2 teaspoonful. For 2 quart jar use 2
teaspoonfuls.
Asparagus
Wash, scrape off scales and tough skin. With a string bind together
enough for one jar. Blanch tough ends from 5 to 10 minutes, then turn
so that the entire bundle is blanched 5 minutes longer. Cold-dip.
Remove string. Pack, with tip ends up. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt and
cover with boiling water. Put on rubber top and adjust top bail or
screw top on with thumb and little finger. Sterilize 120 minutes in
hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Beets
Use only small ones. Wash and cut off all but an inch or two of root
and leaves. Blanch 5 minutes, cold-dip and scrape off skin and stems.
They may be packed in jar sliced or whole. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt
and cover with boiling water. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail
or screw top on with thumb and little finger. Sterilize 90 minutes in
hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts
The method is the same as for cauliflower, except that the vegetables
are not soaked in salted water. Blanch 5 to 10 minutes. Sterilize 120
minutes in hot-water bath.
Carrots
Select small, tender carrots. Leave an inch or two of stems, wash,
blanch 5 minutes and cold-dip. Then remove skin and stems. Pack whole
or in slices, add 1 teaspoonful of salt and cover with boiling water.
Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb
and little finger. Sterilize 90 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove,
complete seal and cool.
Cauliflower
Wash and divide head into small pieces. Soak in salted water 1 hour,
which will remove insects if any are present. Blanch 3 minutes,
cold-dip and pack in jar. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt and cover with
boiling water. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top
on with thumb and little finger. Sterilize 60 minutes in hot-water
bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Corn
Canning corn on the cob, except for exhibition purposes, is a waste
of space. For home use remove the husks and silk, blanch tender ears
5 minutes, older ears 10 minutes, cold-dip, and cut from cob. Pack
lightly to within 1/2 inch of the top of the jar, as corn swells during
sterilization. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt and cover with boiling water,
put on rubber and top, adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb
and little finger. Sterilize 180 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove,
complete seal and cool.
Greens
Wash until no dirt can be felt in the bottom of the pan. Blanch in
steam 15 minutes. (Mineral matter is lost if blanched in water.)
Cold-dip, cut in small pieces and pack or pack whole. Do not pack too
tightly. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt to each jar and cover with boiling
water. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with
thumb and little finger. Sterilize 120 minutes in hot-water bath.
Remove, complete seal and cool.
Lima Beans
Shell. Blanch 5 to 10 minutes. Cold-dip, pack in jar, add 1 teaspoonful
of salt and cover with boiling water. Put on rubber and top, and adjust
top bail or screw top on with thumb and little finger. Sterilize 180
minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Okra
Wash and remove stems. Blanch 5 to 10 minutes, cold-dip and pack in
jar. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt and cover with boiling water. Put on
rubber and top, adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb and little
finger. Sterilize 120 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal
and cool.
Parsnips
The method is the same as for carrots.
Peas
Those which are not fully grown are best for canning. Shell, blanch
5 to 10 minutes and cold-dip. Pack in jar, add 1 teaspoonful of salt
and cover with boiling water. If the jar is packed too full some of
the peas will break and give a cloudy appearance to the liquid. Put
on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb
and little finger. Sterilize 180 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove,
complete seal and cool.
Peppers
Wash, stem and remove seeds. Blanch 5 to 10 minutes, cold-dip and
pack in jar. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt. Cover with boiling water,
put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb
and little finger. Sterilize 120 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove,
complete seal and cool.
Pumpkin, Winter Squash
Remove seed. Cut the pumpkin or squash into strips. Peel and remove
stringy center. Slice into small pieces and boil until thick. Pack in
jar and sterilize 120 minutes in hot-water bath.
Salsify
Wash, blanch 5 minutes, cold-dip and scrape off skin. It may be packed
whole or in slices. Add 1 teaspoonful of salt, and cover with boiling
water. Put on top and rubber and adjust top bail or screw top on with
thumb and little finger. Sterilize 90 minutes in hot-water bath.
Remove, complete seal and cool.
String Beans
Wash and remove ends and strings and cut into small pieces if desired.
Blanch from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on age. Cold-dip, pack
immediately in jar, add 1 teaspoonful salt and cover with boiling
water. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with
thumb and little finger. Sterilize 120 minutes in hot-water bath.
Remove, complete seal and cool.
Summer Squash
Pare, cut in slices or small pieces and blanch 10 minutes. Cold-dip,
pack in jars, add 1 teaspoonful of salt, cover with boiling water,
put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb
and little finger. Sterilize 120 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove,
complete seal and cool.
Tomatoes
Take medium sized tomatoes. Wash them, blanch until skins are loose,
cold-dip and remove the skins. Pack whole in jar, filling the spaces
with tomato pulp made by cooking large and broken tomatoes until done
and then straining and adding 1 teaspoonful of salt to each quart of
the pulp. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on
with thumb and little finger. Sterilize 22 minutes in hot-water bath.
Remove, complete seal and cool.
Tomatoes may be cut in pieces, packed closely into jars and sterilized
25 minutes in hot-water bath. If this is done do not add any liquid.
THE CANNING OF FRUITS
For fruits, as well as for vegetables, the Single Period Cold-Pack
method is best. With some exceptions, as shown in the table, fruits
should be blanched before canning. When fruits are intended for table
use, syrup should be poured over them to fill the jars. In canning
fruits to be used for pie-filling or in cooking, where unsweetened
fruits are desirable, boiling water is used instead of syrup. When
boiling water is thus used the sterilization period in hot-water bath
is thirty minutes.
Syrups
In the directions given various grades of syrup are mentioned. These
syrups are made as follows:
Thin--1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
Medium--1 part sugar to 2 parts water.
Thick--1 part sugar to 1 part water.
Boil the sugar and water until all the sugar is dissolved.
Use thin syrup with sweet fruits. Use medium syrup with sour fruits.
Thick syrup is used in candying and preserving.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANNING FRUITS
Apples
Wash, pare, quarter or slice and drop into weak salt water. Blanch
1-1/2 minutes, cold-dip, pack into jar and cover with water or thin
syrup. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw top on with
thumb and little finger. Sterilize for 20 minutes in hot-water bath.
Apples shrink during sterilization and for this reason economy of
space is obtained by canning them in the form of sauce instead of in
quarters or slices. In canning sauce fill the jars with the hot sauce
and sterilize 12 minutes in hot-water bath.
Apricots
Use only ripe fruit. Blanch 1 to 2 minutes. Wash, cut in half and
remove pit. Pack in jar and cover with medium syrup. Put on rubber and
top and adjust top bail or screw top on with thumb and little finger.
Sterilize 16 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal, cool and
store.
Blackberries
Wash, pack closely and cover with medium syrup. Put on rubber and top
and adjust top bail or screw on top with thumb and little finger.
Sterilize 16 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Blueberries Currants Loganberries Raspberries
The method is the same as for blackberries. Sterilize 16 minutes in
hot-water bath.
Cherries
Cherries should be pitted before being canned. Pack in jar and cover
with medium syrup. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw
on top with thumb and little finger. Sterilize 16 minutes in hot-water
bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Pears
Peel and drop into salt water to prevent discoloration. Blanch 1-1/2
minutes. Pack in jar, whole or in quarters, and cover with thin syrup.
Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw on top with thumb
and little finger. Sterilize 20 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove,
complete seal and cool. A slice of lemon may be added to the contents
of each jar for flavor.
Peaches
Blanch in boiling water long enough to loosen skins. Cold-dip and
remove skins. Cut in half and remove stones. Pack in jar and cover with
thin syrup. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw on top
with thumb and little finger. If soft ripe, sterilize 16 minutes in
hot-water bath; if flesh is very firm, 25 minutes. Remove, complete
seal and cool.
Some peaches do not peel readily even if dipped in boiling water. In
such cases omit dipping in boiling water and pare them.
Plums
Wash, pack in jar and cover with medium syrup. Put on rubber and top
and adjust top bail or screw on top with thumb and little finger.
Sterilize 16 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal and cool.
Pineapples
Pare, remove eyes, shred or cut into slices or small pieces, blanch 3
to 5 minutes, and pack in jar. Cover with medium syrup. Put on rubber
and top and adjust top bail or screw on top with thumb and little
finger. Sterilize 30 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal
and cool.
Quinces
The method is the same as for apples. They may be canned with apples.
Sterilize 20 minutes in hot-water bath.
Rhubarb
Wash and cut into short lengths. Cover with boiling water or thin
syrup. Put on rubber and top and adjust top bail or screw on top with
thumb and little finger. Sterilize 20 minutes in hot-water bath.
Remove, complete seal and cool.
Strawberries
Wash and pack closely in jar. Cover with medium syrup, put on rubber
and top and adjust top bail or screw on top with thumb and little
finger. Sterilize 16 minutes in hot-water bath. Remove, complete seal
and cool.
PRINCIPLES OF JELLY MAKING
To be satisfactory, jelly must be made from fruit juice containing
pectin and acid. Pectin is a substance in the fruit which is soluble
in hot water and which, when cooked with sugar and acid, gives, after
cooling, the right consistency to jelly.
Fruits to be used should be sound, just ripe or slightly under-ripe,
and gathered but a short time. Wash them, remove stems and cut large
fruits into pieces. With juicy fruits add just enough water to prevent
burning while cooking. In using fruits which are not juicy cover them
with water. Cook slowly until the fruits are soft. Strain through a bag
made of flannel or two thicknesses of cheesecloth or similar material.
Test for Pectin
To determine if the juice contains pectin, boil 1 tablespoonful and
cool. To this add 1 tablespoonful of grain alcohol and mix, gently
rotating the glass. Allow the mixture to cool. If a solid mass--which
is pectin--collects, this indicates that in making jelly one part of
sugar should be used to one part of juice. If the pectin collects in
two or three masses, use 2/3 to 3/4 as much sugar as juice. If it
collects in several small particles use 1/2 as much sugar as juice. If
the presence of pectin is not shown as described it should be supplied
by the addition of the juice of slightly under-ripe fruits, such as
apples, currants, crab-apples, green grapes, green gooseberries or wild
cherries.
Measure the juice and sugar. The sugar may be spread on a platter and
heated. Do not let it scorch. When the juice begins to boil add the
sugar. Boil rapidly. The jelly point is reached when the juice drops
as one mass from the side of a spoon or when two drops run together
and fall as one from the side of the spoon. Skim the juice, pour into
sterilized glasses and cool as quickly as possible. Currant and green
grape require 8 to 10 minutes' boiling to reach the jelly point while
all other juices require from 20 to 30 minutes.
When the jelly is cold pour over the surface a layer of hot paraffin.
A toothpick run around the edge while the paraffin is still hot will
give a better seal. Protect the paraffin with a cover of metal or paper.
Three or more extractions of juice may be made from fruit. When the
first extraction is well drained cover the pulp with water and let it
simmer 30 minutes. Drain, and test juice for pectin. For the third
extraction proceed in the same manner. The juice resulting from the
second and third extractions may be combined. If the third extraction
shows much pectin a fourth extraction may be made. The first pectin
test should be saved for comparison with the others.
If the second, third or fourth extraction of juice is found thinner
than the first extraction, boil it until it is as thick as the first;
then add the sugar called for.
Jelly Making without Test
The test for pectin is desirable, but it is not essential. In some
states it is inconvenient because of the difficulty of obtaining grain
alcohol. A large percentage of housewives make jelly without this test,
and satisfactory results may be obtained without it if care is taken to
follow directions and to use the right fruits. For the inexperienced
jelly maker the safe rule is to confine jelly making to the fruits
which are ideal for the purpose. These include currants, sour apples,
crab-apples, under-ripe grapes, quinces, raspberries, blackberries,
blueberries, wild cherries, and green gooseberries. These contain
pectin and acid in sufficient quantities.
In making jelly without the alcohol test, with the juice of currants
and under-ripe grapes use 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of juice. With
raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, sour apples, crab-apples,
quinces, wild cherries and green gooseberries use 3/4 cup of sugar to 1
cup of juice. This applies to the first extraction of juice and to the
later extractions when they have been boiled to the consistency of the
first extraction.
Fruits which contain pectin but lack sufficient acid are peach, pear,
quince, sweet apple and guava. With these acid may be added by the use
of juice of crab-apples or under-ripe grapes.
Strawberries and cherries have acidity but lack pectin. The pectin may
be supplied by the addition of the juice of crab-apples or under-ripe
grapes.
Directions for Jelly Making
Wash, remove stems, and with the larger fruits cut into quarters. Put
into a saucepan and cover with water. Allow to simmer until the fruit
is tender. Put into a bag to drain. If desired, test juice for pectin
as described. Measure juice and sugar in _proportions indicated by the
test for pectin or as directed under "Jelly Making without Test."_ Add
the sugar when the juice begins to boil. The sugar may be heated before
being added. When the boiling juice reaches the jelly point, skim and
pour into sterilized glasses.
Winter Jelly Making
Fruit juices may be canned and made into jelly as wanted during the
winter. Allow 1 cup of sugar to 6 cups of juice. Boil juice and sugar
for 5 minutes. Pour into sterilized bottles or jars. Put into hot-water
bath, with the water reaching to the neck of the containers. Allow to
simmer 20 to 30 minutes. If jars are used half seal them during the
simmering. Put absorbent cotton into the necks of bottles and when the
bottles are taken from the bath put in corks, forcing the cotton into
the neck. Corks should first be boiled and dried to prevent shrinking.
They may also be boiled in paraffin to make them air-tight. After
corking the bottles apply melted paraffin to the tops with a brush, to
make an air-tight seal. Each bottle should be labeled and the label
should specify the amount of sugar used. In making jelly from these
juices during the winter follow the "Directions for Jelly Making,"
adding enough sugar to give the amount called for.
FRUIT BUTTERS
Fruit butters may be made from good sound fruits or the sound portions
of fruits which are wormy or have been bruised. Wash, pare and remove
seeds if there are any. Cover with water and cook 3 or 4 hours at a low
temperature, stirring often, until the mixture is of the consistency of
thick apple sauce. Add sugar to taste when the boiling is two-thirds
done. Spices may be added to suit the taste when the boiling is
completed. If the pulp is coarse it should be put through a wire sieve
or colander. Pour the butter into sterilized jar, put on rubber and
cover and adjust top bail. Put into a container having a cover and
false bottom. Pour in an inch or so of water and sterilize quart jar or
smaller jar 5 minutes after the steam begins to escape. Remove, push
snap in place and cool.
Apple Butter with Cider
Four quarts of sweet or sterilized cider should be boiled down to 2
quarts. To this add 4 quarts of apples peeled and cut in small pieces.
If the texture of the apples is coarse they should be boiled and put
through a strainer before being added to the cider. Boil this mixture
until the cider does not separate from the pulp. When two-thirds done
add one pound of sugar. One-half teaspoonful each of cinnamon, allspice
and cloves may be added. Pour into sterilized jars and sterilize 5
minutes in steam.
Apple and pear butter may be made by following the directions for apple
butter with cider but omitting the cider.
Peach Butter
Dip peaches in boiling water long enough to loosen the skins. Dip in
cold water, peel and stone them. Mash and cook them without adding any
water. Add half as much sugar as pulp and cook until thick. Pour into
sterilized jars and sterilize 5 minutes in steam.
Plum butter may be made following the directions for peach butter.
Apple Butter with Grape Juice
To every 4 quarts of strained apple sauce add 1 pint of grape juice, 1
cup of brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoonful of salt. Cook slowly, stirring
often, until of the desired thickness. When done stir in 1 teaspoonful
of cinnamon, pack in hot jars and sterilize 5 minutes in steam.
Dried Peach Butter
Soak dried peaches over night. Cook slowly until tender. To each
2 pounds of dried peaches add 1 quart of canned peaches and 1-3/4
pounds of sugar. If a fine texture is desired, strain pulp through a
colander. Cook slowly, stirring often, until thick. Pack in hot jars
and sterilize 5 minutes in steam.