Central Sierra: Master Food Preserver Articles - El Dorado County

Preserve It! Homemade Fruit Spread is a Freezer Delight!  What would you say to a fruit spread recipe with a low or no sugar option? Yes? Short on canning jars or just don’t want to deal with the processing? Freezer jam is the answer. A bonus is that freezer jam stays soft and can be scooped out as…

 Don't say goodbye to apples and pears yet Apples and pears have a long and distinguished history in El Dorado County agriculture. Locals and tourists alike appreciate our fine mountain autumn fruit. Right now, it's late in apple and pear season here in Camino, and most of the fruits will be gone…

Preserve It! Oh Dear, the Zucchini! Pickling is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. Queen Cleopatra attributed her legendary beauty as well as her health to the pickles in her diet. Roman troops were given pickles in their diet believing it would make them strong.What if you don’t have many…

Preserve It! Peaches!  Don't Hesitate to Buy Loads of Fuzzy Peaches (in season!)  Have you noticed that fresh peaches have more fuzz than peaches in grocery stores? Before peaches are sold in grocery stores, some of the fuzz is removed to make it more appealing. It is thought that too much fuzz on…

Preserve It! Properly Prepared for Pepper Seasonby UCCE Master Food Preserver Laurie LewisThe heat of summer in California is in full swing. We are in the height of the season for growing peppers. If you enjoy peppers, or if you grow them in the garden, you may be looking for ways to enjoy the abundance of…

Preserve It! Summer With Watermelon! by UCCE Master Food Preserver Laurie Lewis Nothing quenches thirst in the heat of the summer as a sweet watermelon can. Who else has childhood memories holding a generous slice in your hands, biting into the fruit as the juice ran down both arms?Watermelon Rinds…

Preserve It! Food on the counter for longer than two hours is potentially unsafe by UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County Laurie Lewis Whether you are serving a family meal or setting out food for that garden party or potluck, we want everyone to be safe. The memories of those meals should…

 Preserve It! Freezing eggs is a viable and safe option  by UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County Laurie Lewis  Eggs:  Such a perfect source of nutrition, a complete protein in a small oval shell. If you have fresh eggs from your own chickens or a local source, that’s wonderful…

 Preserve It!  Properly using canning jars helps ensure a safe outcome  by UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County Laurie Lewis   We are well into spring, heading toward summer. Seed catalogs were dog-eared months ago, seed packets are in a basket (or perhaps already opened…

Preserve It! Beware (and be aware) of vinegar with low acidity on store shelves  by UCCE Master Food Preserver Laurie Lewis  There’s a concern that, in the past few years, we have been seeing white vinegar with 4-percent acidity on store shelves. All our tested, safe recipes for home food…