Many ways to preserve garden green beans
There are many ways you can preserve green beans so you are eating your garden’s bounty all winter long. Most people can or freeze extra green beans, but you could also pickle or dry them for some interesting off-season eating.
Get the best results when freezing your produce
Many people enjoy planting gardens and eating fresh, homegrown produce in the summer. For people who want to preserve their garden vegetables and eat them another time, freezing is a viable option. The color, flavor and texture of the produce is often maintained when it is frozen, and the freezing process is easy and less time consuming than canning.
Prevent botulism from home-canned foods
Microorganisms all around us can cause food spoilage — they are in the air and soil, and on people and animals. Many microorganisms are difficult to get rid of, including Clostridium botulinum — the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulism is rare but can be fatal. Home-processed foods are often the culprit of foodborne botulism.
Low-cost strategies for staying cool and saving energy
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Our region continues to suffer from the extraordinary heat. Many homeowners and renters are concerned with their utility bills and looking for strategies to reduce usage while staying comfortable. During these very hot days, it is important to take care of yourself. “Older people and the very young may have particular difficulties coping with hot weather,” says University of Missouri Extension housing and…
Preserve home-canned salsa safely
Don’t want to throw out extra tomatoes? Making salsa is a great way to preserve them! But it is important to follow the guidelines for keeping your home-canned salsa safe.Only use tested recipes when making home-canned salsa. A tested recipe assures there is enough acidity for safe processing in a boiling water bath. These resources offer tested recipes and tips for canning tomato products safely:
4-H Youth Futures helps underserved students overcome obstacles to attend college
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Diamond Mack wants to be an engineer, and 4-H is helping her.The St. Louis senior joined about 100 other high school students at the 4-H Youth Futures conference this summer at the University of Missouri. For 10 years the University of Missouri Extension program has made the dream of college a reality for hundreds of underserved and first-generation youth.
4-H Youth Futures program helps lower barriers to college
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When Sandra Trejo unpacked her bags and said goodbye to her parents last week, she was saying hello to the possibility of college.Trejo joined 80 other aspiring college students from high schools throughout Missouri. Thanks to the 4-H Youth Futures: College Within Reach program, students who might not otherwise go to college learn that they can achieve their dreams.
Problem solver for home-canned foods
It’s time for the canner to come out of winter storage.As you dust it off, you may remember some jars from last year that didn't turn out exactly as planned. Why do your tomatoes float in the jar? You may have used overripe tomatoes, packed them in the jar too loosely or processed them too long or at too high of a temperature.Here are some reasons why your food may not have come out as expected and some tips for ensuring …
Storing canned foods
Many people have questions about storing canned goods. And since February is Canned Food Month, now is a good time to address some of the most common questions.
Making jerky from venison
Deer-hunting season is in full swing. Making jerky is a popular way to preserve venison. Here are some tips on doing it safely, including specifications for ground meat.
Preserving saves garden bounty for a cold winter night
There’s nothing like a meal featuring vegetables you grew and nurtured in your garden. Enjoy your homegrown produce all year long by canning, freezing or drying produce when it’s plentiful. Each preservation method has its own pros and cons.
Can your “choice salsa” safely
People often ask if it is possible to use their own salsa recipe and can it safely. In the past the best response was: no, use it fresh or freeze it. Now there is a tested, generic recipe that allows for creativity without giving up safety.
Pressure canning FAQs and expert advice
After testing many pressure canner gauges over the years, I have seen some that were spot on for accuracy. I have also seen some where the needle was stuck; the gauge was separate from the lid yet still reading 2 pounds; and there are those that have tested 2, 3, 5 or even 8 pounds off. I recently attended a local farmers market to do the annual pressure canner gauges testing and to answer questions. Here are some of the common…
Freezing — A quick solution
If you have room in the freezer, freezing produce is a quick solution to beat the conundrums that can come up during a great growing season. Freezing works when:
MU research targets Japanese beetles
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Japanese beetles—those mean, green eating machines—are peaking throughout much of Missouri.University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice hopes his research on Japanese beetles will take a bite out of their buffet.
Public asked to submit drought information
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The public is invited to submit information to help local, state and national decision-makers assess drought conditions and impacts in Missouri.
Preserving sweet corn
Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh sweet corn, but it can also be easily preserved to enjoy year-round. Sweet corn can be preserved by freezing, pressure canning or dehydration.
Preserving greens
Greens are excellent sources of vitamin A, calcium, folic acid and fiber. Preserve spinach, collards, kale and other spring greens by freezing, pressure canning or dehydrating them.
Preserving winter squash
Winter squash keeps well for several months in cold storage, but canning and freezing helps us enjoy them any time of year.Because the growing conditions for squash create the perfect environment for surface bacteria, it is necessary to wash the squash thoroughly before taking a knife through the skin. Scrub squash with a vegetable brush under cool running water before cutting and cooking. Do not use soap or detergent.
Nutritional supplements
The use of dietary supplements has grown dramatically over the last decade. How are we supposed to know which supplements to take? Which ones may be a waste of time and money?
Foods for Father’s Day
Neckties may be a popular Father’s Day gift, but wouldn’t it be nice to give Dad the gift of a long, healthy life? In honor of Father’s Day, here are some of the most important foods for protecting men’s health.