Key insights

• 🍓 🍓 Becky teaches Julia about classic strawberry jam, emphasizing small batch methods for easier canning.
• 📦 📦 Canning is a valuable skill, ensuring food preservation in an age of modern grocery access.
• 🔍 🔍 Super chilling jam helps test for doneness and ensures perfect consistency.
• 🌿 🌿 Grated Granny Smith apples add natural pectin without altering jam texture.
• 👌 👌 Skimming foam from jam provides a cleaner presentation and better texture.
• 🥒 🥒 Choosing the right spices enhances flavor and color in pickled vegetables.
• 🧪 🧪 Proper brine preparation is crucial for achieving delicious and crispy pickles.
• 🔧 🔧 Using appropriate canning equipment, like a jar lifter, ensures safety during the process.

Q&A

• How do I check if my canned pickles are sealed correctly? 🔍

  After cooling, you can check the seals of your canned pickles by pressing down the center of the lid. If it doesn't pop back, the seal is tight and the jar is safe for storage. Always use new lids for canning while rings can be reused.

• What can I do to keep my pickles crunchy? 🥕

  To maintain the crunchiness of your pickles, consider adding calcium chloride (pickle crisp) to the jars. Additionally, ensure you process jars in hot water at the appropriate temperature and time, while avoiding excessive processing that may lead to mushy pickles.

• What are the key steps in preparing a pickling brine? 🥙

  When preparing a pickling brine, use a mix of spices like mustard seeds and turmeric, bring the mixture to a boil to dissolve sugar, and ensure to drain salted vegetables to minimize extra moisture. It's vital to pack the vegetables tightly into jars while leaving enough headspace for liquids.

• How can I pickle cucumbers effectively? 🥒

  To pickle cucumbers effectively, slice them into quarter-inch pieces and use small kirby cucumbers for optimal results. Incorporate onions and bell peppers for flavor, and use canning and pickling salt free of anti-caking agents. Allow the veggies to sit in salt for moisture extraction before preparing your brine.

• What equipment do I need for canning? 🔧

  Key equipment includes a durable canner like the Victorio stainless steel multi-use canner, hot jars to prevent cracking, and a Ball secure grip jar lifter for safe handling. The proper use of tools ensures a safe and efficient canning process.

• How can I ensure my jam sets properly? 🍇

  To ensure your jam sets properly, it's crucial to super chill the jam to test for doneness, cook at the right temperature (between 217-220 degrees), and leave a quarter inch of headspace in jars. Additionally, skimming foam off the jam helps achieve a smooth texture.

• Why is small batch canning recommended? 🏺

  Small batch canning is highlighted for its simplicity and reduced mess, making it more accessible for home cooks. The video demonstrates that making manageable quantities can also result in enhanced flavor and freshness in the final product.

• What is the main focus of making strawberry jam in the video? 🍓

  The video emphasizes small batch methods for making classic strawberry jam, aiming to preserve fresh flavors while ensuring safety in the canning process. Key techniques include utilizing ingredients such as grated Granny Smith apples for pectin and bottled lemon juice for consistent acidity.

• 00:02 Becky teaches Julia how to make classic strawberry jam, highlighting small batch methods for easier canning. They focus on preserving fresh flavor while ensuring safety with ingredients for a perfect jam. 🍓
• 03:48 In this segment, we learn how to properly test, can, and process jam, ensuring it sets correctly and is safe for storage. 🍇
• 07:18 Learn how to make delicious homemade strawberry jam and how to properly can it while using the right equipment. 🍓
• 11:31 Learn how to pickle cucumbers by slicing them properly, adding flavor with onions and bell peppers, and preparing a fresh brine for delicious, crisp pickles! 🥒
• 14:48 Learn how to pickle vegetables, focusing on seasoning and techniques for crispiness using a homemade brine and specific spices. Proper preparation and packing ensure delicious and crunchy pickles! 🥒
• 18:15 Learn the process of canning cucumbers into pickles with tips on maintaining firmness and ensuring proper sealing for delicious bread and butter pickles. 🥒