Fresh-Picked Seattle

Image by The Bitten Word

LOOKING FOR SEATTLE CANNING CLASSES? PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE FRESHPICKED'S NEW CANNING AND PRESERVING PAGE FOR A CURRENT AND REGULARLY UPDATED CALENDAR OF LOCAL SEATTLE CANNING AND PRESERVING EVENTS.

Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time learning how to cook.Of course, much of that has been motivated by a love of deliciousness.But I think my desire for effective home economics is as strong as that love. 

I know I get a bent towards efficiency from my folks, but also feel that reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books as a child had a profound impact on my view of keeping a home. Her detailed accounts of the mechanics of life in homesteading America, especially the way no scrap was wasted, seemed both totally alien and very wonderful growing up in the disposable late 20th century. I’m still nowhere near as resourceful and efficient as I should be, but the books gave me an ideal to aim at.

And I’m certainly not unique in this personal value system, as evidenced by the growing interest in animal keeping and home produce gardening (new post coming soon), even among city folk who might not be the most obvious candidates for personal homesteading.

Some people might not have the room or lifestyle for the care of extra living things, but one homesteading activity most folks can try is the old art of canning and preserving.

A group of passionate preservers, including quite of few of Seattle’s food folks, recently started the site Canning Across America, "a nationwide, ad hoc collective of cooks, gardeners and food lovers committed to the revival of the lost art of 'putting by' food. Our goal is to promote safe food preservation and the joys of community building through food. We believe in celebrating the bounty of local and seasonal produce and taking greater control of our food supply."

They are also kicking off with a "Can-A-Rama Community Canning Weekend" on August 29-30. Check out their site for events and consider doing a little community canning yourself!

If you haven’t canned before, it’s important to note that food safety is key with food preservation. Botulism is some serious deadly business, and it’s necessary to know what you are doing in order to avoid creating the toxin. If you don’t have a Laura Ingalls Wilder in your life to help school you, here are some upcoming events – including quite a lot of FREE! ones – where you can learn more.

You might also consider looking at the Ball Blue Book of Canning. I took a Seattle Free School class in canning with Master Canner Jessica Dally and she strongly recommended this book because its recipes have been thoroughly tested for safety.

NEW! And check out the resources Karen Gaudette assembled on the PCC Stir-Fry blog.

EVENTS

Wednesday, August 5: FREE! Canning & Preserving Demo at Molbaks. (Woodinville, 10:30am-12pm)

Thursday, August 20: Preserving the Flavor with Kathy Casey. Learn jams, flavored sugars/salts, vinegars, pickling and freezing. "This will be a demo style class with some hands-on. Each attendee will take home at least 1 jar/container of preserved goodness. The class will be based upon what is in season that week. Also Kathy will have commercial canning jars available for purchase as well as info on where you can get PH meters as well as some of her 'put-up' creations made this summer." (Thank you to Traca Savadogo, aka Seattle Tall Poppy for the tip on the class!) $55 (Starts at 3pm)

Monday, August 24: If you are or want to be involved with Sustainable Ballard, this month’s FREE! meeting will be on Local Eating and Preserving the Harvest Free. Bring a potluck dish and recipe to share. (6:30-9pm)

Thursday, August 27:

• FREE! Canning Across America Event: Canning Demo at Queen Anne Farmers Market with Sonja Skalbania, Master Food Preserver. (5:45-6:45pm)
• Introduction to Canning at J. Matheson Kitchen and Gourmet Shop. On the menu: Peaches; Green Beans; Zucchini Relish; Dill Pickles.  $27.50 (Everett, 6-8pm) 

Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30: Canning Across America Weekend!

Wednesday, September 2: FREE! Preserving & Canning Demo @ Columbia City Farmers Market. (4-5pm)

Thursday, September 3: FREE! Preserving & Canning Demo @ Lake City Farmers Market.  (4-5pm)

Saturday, September 12: FREE! Master Canner Jessica Dally of the Seattle Free School will be presenting Home Canning and Food Preservation @ Seattle Tilth Harvest Fair. (Wallingford, 10:30am-12:30pm)

NEW! Sunday, September 13: Canning and Preserving Class at Sur la Table. $69 (Kirkland, 2pm)

Tuesday, September 15

• NEW! Canning in the Valley class through Seattle Parks and Rec. $25
• NEW! Canning Workshop through Phinney Neighborhood Center. $20-25

Saturday, September 19

• FREE! Ask the Chef Booth @ U-District Farmers Market will be Lucy Norris, author of Pickled: Preserving a World of Tastes and Traditions and co-leader of Slow Food Seattle. (10am-12pm)
• NEW! Canning Class through Sustainable Ballard. $20 (10am-2pm)

Wednesday, September 23: Canning, Jamming and Pickling Class Food with Hope Sandler at Bon Vivant. On the menu: Spiced Peaches; Crushed Vine-Ripened Tomatoes with Fresh Basil; Fresh Summer Berry Jam, Bread & Butter Pickles; and Dill Pickled Asparagus. $78/discounts available if you buy a membership credits (6:30-10pm)

Thursday, September 24

• FREE! Canning demo and book signing at the Queen Anne Farmers Market with Lorene Edwards, blogger at Planted at Home, author of Canning & Preserving Your Own Harvest. (4-5pm)
• NEW! FREE! Simple Techniques for Preserving the Harvest Workshop at Madison Market. "Learn easy ways you can preserve fresh produce, and eat local throughout the year without spending a fortune. This fun and interactive class will show you how to dry and freeze fruits and vegetables with ease and common tools." (6-7pm, 7:30-8:30pm) 

Saturday, September 26: Preserving the Harvest Class at Sizzleworks. $75 (Eastside, 10:30am)

NEW! Tuesday, September 29

• Canning in the Valley class through Seattle Parks and Rec. $25
• FREE! Sustainable South Seattle canning class.

NEW! Saturday, October 10: Pantry Preservation at 21 Acres. $40 (Woodinville, 10am-1pm)

NEW! Tuesday, October 13: Community Canning Workshop to benefit Good Farmer Fund. (6:30pm)

Wednesday, October 14: FREE! Local Food Year-Round: Simple Methods for Preserving Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Food. This class is offered by WSU King County Extension. (SeaTac 6-8pm)

NEW! Saturday, October 17: Canning Class through Sustainable Ballard. $20 (10am-2pm)

NEW! Saturday, October 24: Great Pickles for Giving and Eating. "Class attendees will learn the basics of pickling and canning and are welcome to take home their own pickles. Proceeds from this event will go to Slow Food Seattle Youth Program 2010 scholarship fund." (Woodinville, 10am-2pm)

NEW! Tuesday, December 1: Sauces and Preserves for Gift-Giving with the Shibaguyz and NuCulinary. Discount if you bring a friend! ~$77 (6:30pm)

Update on Aug 6, 2009 by Leslie Seaton

Seattle Bonne Vivante also tweeted today about another learning opportunity for canning starting this week at Goods for the Planet.  Check it out if you can get Twitter to work today! :)