The best quality of aluminum is the ideal material for the preserving
kettle; but granite, porcelain or earthenware may be used.
Thorough sterilization of the jars or cans is one of the most important
parts of fruit canning. I always wash and sterilize mine when I empty
them.
After washing the covers of Mason jars, bake them in a moderate oven
for 2 or 3 hours; scrape them on the inside if necessary but do not
wet them, and screw them on to the jars, which should have been well
washed, scalded, wiped with a clean towel and thoroughly dried by
standing right side up in a warm place.
The rubbers should be put on when the covers are, so that the jars will
be all ready for use.
When old rubbers are in good condition they are just as good as new
ones. Sometimes two thin ones may be used together.
There is a certain black rubber that should not be used with delicate
flavored fruits as it injures their flavor. It does not improve the
flavor of any fruit.
New rubbers should be washed and rubbed well in soapsuds and rinsed
before using.
Keep the jars in a dry place and when you come to use them turn them
over once in a pan of boiling water, scalding the covers the same.
Do not waste time, strength, jars or sugar on imperfect, decayed or
unripe fruit. The probabilities are that it will not keep; and if it
does the appearance and flavor will be inferior.
Put the fruit into the jars _boiling hot_ and seal immediately. Do not
try to remove the froth or air bubbles (pure air will do no harm in
cans, and it will be pure when the fruit is at boiling heat all around
it and will remain so if the can is well sealed), because while you are
trying to let the air out the fruit is cooling on top and the germs
from the outside air are settling upon it.
If the fruit gets below the boiling point while filling the jars,
return it to the fire and reheat it. _Fill the jars to overflowing._
Fasten the covers on perfectly tight, press the edges down all around
into the rubber of Mason jars, if inclined to leak. Do not tighten the
covers after the fruit is cold.
With Lightning jars it is sometimes necessary to slip little splinters
of wood (bits of berry boxes) under the wires to make the covers tight
enough.
When the covers are perfectly adjusted, invert the jars and leave them
until cool. This not only shows whether any are leaking or not but
fills any spaces there may be.
Keep canned fruit in a dark place. The light will cause it to lose its
flavor as well as color. Wrap jars in paper if necessary.
The simplest way to fill jars is to set them in a row on a towel wrung
out of cold water and folded so that it is thick. The jars must be cold
also. Or, the towel may be wrung out of hot water and the jars rinsed
in hot water before filling. In either case have the covers warm.
Bear in mind that “sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than
meat.”
Some fruits, rich fine-flavored pears and peaches, whortleberries and
others are excellent canned without sugar. They taste more like fresh
fruit.
I always can whortleberries without water, so as to have them for pies.
For sauce, water may be added after they are opened.
Gooseberries canned without water or sugar make delightful, fresh
tasting pies in winter.
Never fail to secure black currants if possible for pies.
Always label fruit before putting it away, giving the year in which it
was put up.
Canned fruits and vegetables should be opened two hours or more before
serving, to give the fresh taste which comes with the restoration of
oxygen.
There is much work at the best connected with fruit canning, so I have
tried to simplify it as much as possible. The methods given here are
those which I have used for years with good results.