Join the Can Jam!

by Jennifer Maiser, editor

One of my culinary joys recently has been learning to can. While a couple years ago I was afraid to pickle even simple items, this year I preserved lemons, pickled okra, pickled eggs, canned tomatoes, canned stocks, made applesauce, put up apple butter, brandied cherries, made grenadine and more.

Canning is an awesome way to be able to eat varied local food throughout the year. And it brings brightness to even the most mundane winter meal.

And I'm not alone in my new-found love. Canning is becoming popular again, as more folks are interested in taking control of their food supply and avoiding mass-processed foods. Kim O'Donnel -- an amazing writer and food advocate who I was lucky to be able to interview at BlogHer this year -- helped to found a group called Canning Across America which held nationwide events this summer and is continuing to gain traction as many of us turn to our Ball jars, canning tongs, and water baths.

In 2010, I have agreed to take part in the Can Jam that is being hosted by the Tigress in a Jam blog. The project will entail all participants canning a particular ingredient each month, and posting their recipes and experiences with canning that particular item. By the end of the year, we will have canned 12 different ingredients and my canning repertoire will have expanded even more.

You can read all about the plan on her blog. There's still time to sign up -- participants just need to send her an email by December 22. If you've signed up, let me know here so I can be sure to read about your adventures!