The most popular time to look for food preservation ideas is during the height of the garden season.
However, just because it’s not the main garden season doesn’t mean you can’t preserve food.
In fact the off-season is an ideal time to prepare items such as breads, pastas, desserts and use up those little bits of fruits, meats and vegetables in your freezer.
This is done by dehydrating, turning that excess food into soups, stews or adding it to recipes that you can eat right away or preserve for later use.
Advantages Of Food Preservation During The Off Season
I like off-season food preservation because I don’t feel as rushed.
I can enjoy the process, take in the smells and be a bit more creative.
The key to making the most of this process is to properly dehydrate or freeze the foods during the height of the garden season.
This gives you a quality product to start with.
Food Preservation Ideas For Pasta
This past week I made up several types of pasta, dried it and froze it.
Fresh pasta must be dried before you freeze it – and this can be done with a dehydrator or by laying it out to dry.
Be sure to turn it over at least once during the drying time.
Once it is dry, gently put it in freezer bags or better yet, freezer containers so it doesn’t get crushed.
Homemade pasta preserved in the freezer is good for six months, but unless you make a lot it won’t last that long.
Other Food Preservation Ideas
Other foods I process during the off-season is sweet and savory cooking cubes.
Fresh herbs and fruit mixed in butter then frozen are favorites at my house.
I also chop up fresh herbs and top off my trays with olive oil or water then freeze them.
I add these cubes to many recipes throughout the year.
When I make bone broth or meat the the grease drips off of I freeze the grease to use as cooking oil.
I also freeze leftover heavy whipping cream so I always have cream cubes on hand for gravies, mashed potatoes, etc.
This would work for milk and many other liquid items as well.
Don’t Forget To Stock Up On Baked Goods
I challenge you to look in your freezer and pantry to see what items you have that need used up and come up with some creative food preservation ideas.
Be sure to take inventory while you are at it so you know if you need breads or desserts.
Now is a great time to prepare or bake and preserve those as well.
Canning Food At Home
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The Ultimate List Of Home Canning Recipes
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Homemade Beef Stew Recipe For Canning
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Red Hot Apple Wedges Canning Recipe
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Cinnamon Chocolate Mint Fruit Cocktail Recipe
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Apple Canning Recipes
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How To Make Raspberry Vinegar
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Orange-Cranberry Vinegar And Marinade Recipe
This orange-cranberry vinegar and marinade recipe is easy to make, easy to can and tastes great!
How To Make Homemade Ketchup
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Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
This homemade bbq sauce recipe uses fresh tomatoes and is perfect for canning. Use it as it is or as a base sauce to create different types of BBQ sauces.
How To Make Cajeta Goat Milk Caramel
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How To Make Homemade Honey
Learn how to make homemade honey right in your own kitchen using a mixture of water, sugar, red clover, white clover and fireweed!
How To Make Rose Petal Jelly
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Delicious Raspberry-Chocolate Sundae Topper Recipe
This delicious, easy-to-make raspberry-chocolate sundae topper is an ideal canning recipe making it easy to serve to guests or give as gifts!
Importance Of Food Preservation Inventory
Do you understand the importance of food preservation inventory? From spices to food stored in the freezer and pantry, this list can help you save money.
Four Factors That Affect Food Storage
Understanding the four factors that affect food storage is essential for keeping your food safe, especially if you intend to store it long term.
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Learn if canning food at home is really worth the time and effort involved as well as about some of the supplies you need to get started.
Home Canning Supplies
There are a number of home canning supplies you need to get started canning food at home, the Bellemain Kit contains 6 of them.
Canning At Home
When canning at home making sure everything is clean and in good condition is essential for food safety and your families health.
Fruit Juice Concentrate
Learn how to make your own fruit juice concentrate at home using fresh fruits from your garden or the farmers market.
Preserving Citrus Fruits
Preserving citrus fruits is something you want to know how to do if you grow your own, buy in bulk or have citrus fruits given to you.
Preparing Fresh Green Beans
Home grown green beans are delicious. By learning about preparing fresh green beans for canning you can enjoy them year round.
