Cooperative Extension: Food & Health

— By Mary Kate Reny, UMaine Extension Master Food Preserver Volunteer Salt has been used to preserve food for centuries—salted fish, corned meat, and olives come to mind. But is salt required when preserving vegetables? I was surprised to learn that—except for fermentation—any veggie may be canned without salt. It is added for flavor only […]

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension July brings the first harvest of green beans ready for eating fresh, pickling, and freezing. If you find yourself with a big harvest, freezing is a great way to preserve beans for later use. Freezing results in a product with a texture that’s […]

— By Kate McCarty, Food System Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Freeze drying is becoming a popular method of home food preservation as freeze dryers designed for home use are becoming more widely available. Most foods can be freeze dried, from fruits and vegetables to proteins and complete meals. Freeze drying removes up to […]

— By Kate McCarty, Food System Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension It’s feeling springy in Maine, and while herbs won’t be ready in Maine gardens for months, springtime feels like the season to start adding fresh flavors to your meals using herbs. But oftentimes, purchasing herbs leaves you with much more than you need, […]

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Home canners will be interested to learn that there’s another type of canner recommended for preserving high-acid foods at home. An atmospheric steam canner, an appliance designed to preserve foods using steam, has been sufficiently tested by the University of Wisconsin, National Center […]

— By Laura Easter, Master Food Preserver Volunteer, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Ahh, fall in Maine… the only thing better than the cool crisp air and the return of pumpkin spice everything is the apple harvest! And, there are so many different delicacies that one can preserve from the local apple harvest. Applesauce, apple […]

— By Eva Holmes, Master Food Preserver Volunteer, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Zoodles or zucchini noodles have become a popular pasta substitute for those looking to reduce carbohydrates or calories, but the real benefit is the fun way to increase vegetables in your diet. While it is possible to make fettuccine or sheet-style zoodles […]

— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Master Food Preserver Volunteers Abbie Perry and Tyra Hatcher Mitchell Tomatoes are one of the most popular home canned products—canned tomatoes are versatile in cooking, relatively easy (if not labor-intensive), and delicious. Whether you are canning tomatoes whole, in pieces, as juice […]

— By Kathy Savoie, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Increased interest in home food preservation, the popularity of home canning salsa, and the emergence of food blogs as easily accessible sources for recipes have created concerns about the safety of home canning recipes on food blogs. How safe are the salsa recipes found on […]

— By Kathy Savoie, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension As we prepare for the summer preserving season by gathering ingredients, please remember the importance of always checking that the acidity level of vinegar is 5%. The acid from vinegar helps to ensure the safety of your home canned products. The National Center for Home […]