Spoonful

Different types of salt in separate piles.

The Best Salts for Canning & Pickling

— 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 […]

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Green beans

Tips for Freezing Green Beans

— 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 […]

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A person reaching for a blue cooler.

Tips for Cooler Food Safety

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program). Summer is here and cookout, barbecue, and tailgating season is in full swing. Chances are that you, friends, or family will be using a cooler for your outdoor summer adventures. To avoid getting sick from food-borne illness, […]

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Flavored water in mason jars with strawberries, kiwi, lemon, raspberries, and mint leaves.

Three Refreshing Drinks to Beat the Summer Heat

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Hydration is important all year round, and as the temperatures rise in the summer it becomes even more important. Keep reading for summer drink inspiration as I share my top 3 refreshing […]

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Rising apple in the sink under running water.

6 Common Food Safety Mistakes You May Be Making in the Kitchen

— By Alex Bosse, Nutrition Education Professional for UMaine Cooperative Extension EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program) A simple mistake in the kitchen can lead to unwelcome consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and […]

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Green bean salad

Fresh from the Garden: How to Enjoy Green Beans

— By Kate Yerxa, Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Green and yellow snap beans are a common garden crop in Maine. While bush and pole beans are easy to grow for new home gardeners, it can be overwhelming if your crop is ready to pick at the same time. Pick your beans when […]

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Red and yellow petals.

Growing Peppers, Mild to Hot!

— By Kayla Parsons, RDN, PhD Student, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Peppers are a wonderful flavor booster for any recipe, especially the Homemade Salsa Recipe and Vegetarian Chili that can be found on EFNEP’s recipe website. As the weather starts getting warmer, I love to spend evenings grilling kabobs with green peppers, mushrooms, and […]

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Collage of photos of people being active, including a woman and kids walking in the forest, pickleball, and a man and kid gardening.

Ask Spoonful: Get Up and Go! Our Favorite Ways to Be Active

— By Spoonful Bloggers, University of Maine Cooperative Extension There are many benefits to incorporating movement and physical activity into our lives. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults who do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week can see substantial health benefits. That’s about 20 minutes of activity every day […]

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Sweet potato salad in a glass container

Mainely Dish: Sweet Potato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

— By Alex Gayton, Assistant EFNEP Coordinator & Social Media Coordinator, Expanded Food Nutrition and Education Program (EFNEP), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Visit EFNEP’s recipe website for the Sweet Potato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe and recipe video. This Sweet Potato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette is a simple and unique side dish […]

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Five hands on a table.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

— By Kayla Parsons, RDN, PhD Student, University of Maine Cooperative Extension May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Did you know that 1 in 20 adults in the United States are experiencing mental illness, but more than half of those individuals did not receive treatment? There is a need to advocate for an equitable mental […]

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