Home Canning in the Winter Months: A Round-Up

Just because many of the farmers markets have closed down, and the roadside produce stands are boarded up for the winter, doesn’t mean we have to pack away our canning jars and declare the season over. There are still plenty of fun preserving projects to be relished (groaner!) during the darker months of the year.

In some ways, canning from November to May is more enjoyable than during the hectic summer months. The pressure in August to put up the season’s bounty before it spoils can take the fun out of it. In winter you can choose your recipes with leisure without fear of fruit over-ripening – plus the temptation for a nap in the sun or a trip to the beach is no longer a distraction!

Right now, fresh Canadian cranberries are in stores and I’m getting ready to simmer up a few batches of cranberry sauce. Perhaps after that I’ll plan an apple project, because we go through apple butter like, well, butter.

I’m not the only one who cans year ’round. Home preserving enthusiast Marisa of Food in Jars proclaims:

“No matter the season, there’s always something to make and can. In the fall there are so many lovely apples and pears to be turned into sauces, butters and chutneys, as well as all matter of cruciferous vegetables that makes for amazing pickling. By the time their season is over, the winter citrus has arrived, perfect for those tart marmalades and curds. Before you know it, the rhubarb is bursting forth and with it, spring!”

Marisa’s recent quince and cranberry creations are a perfect testament to the beauty of year ’round canning. Delicious!


Photo by Marisa McClellan

So without further ado, here is some inspiration for your winter canning, but don’t worry, there’s no rush. Those sweet onions and young beets are a tad more robust than July’s delicate raspberry. They’ll hold in a cool, dark place if you want to put off canning for another weekend. Don’t wait too long, though! Home preserves make mighty fine gifts for the holidays.

Inspiration for Canning with Winter Produce

Sweet:

Savory:

This post is brought to you by Tattler Reusable Canning Lids. Finally, quality canning lids that last a lifetime for any type of home canning. Tattler reusable canning lids are also BPA-free.

Pst! Stay tuned because I’ll be giving away some lids from Tattler tomorrow!

What is on your list this winter to preserve? Is there a specific ingredient or recipe you’d like to see featured here?

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20 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for the shout outs. While I don’t mind breaking down baskets of produce into pickles and jams and relishes in summer (windows open, fan on) it is very cozy to make jams in the cooler months. For Christmas gifts, homemade mustard is a huge hit (cranberry-rosemary is on S.D.) One last thought: when you are finished with your boiling water bath water in the summer, while it’s still hellishly hot take the pot outside and pour the water on the pesky weeds in your driveway, patio or stone walkways. Very gratifying, the weeds wilt like spinach and the hot water kills the tap root. Very satisfying, practical and easier than pulling them up.

  2. This is so great! I can’t wait to make grapefruit marmalade and cranberry ketchup! Thanks for sharing all these links in one place.

  3. Great ideas for winter time canning! I always do something with cranberries – made some delicious Cranberry Catsup with our wild cranberries this fall. Plus winter is when I make a lot of jams and preserves – I just freeze the fruit until life slows down enough.

  4. Oh wow, I missed this round up, and that you mentioned my pickled grapes. Thank you so much for the mention! I feel rather honored to even be mentioned with a bunch of experienced canners. 🙂

  5. I saw this on Pinterest – I miss canning. Haven’t done any in months. What a great roundup.

  6. Great list of recipes…but this year I think I too will start out with apple butter. Me and my children love it and I have never personally tried to make it…guess I just planned next weekend. Everybody have a great canning year!