Foods and home making

How should fruits for canning be cleaned? Fruits need washing. Large fruits should be washed before they are pared or peeled. Berries and small fruits should be washed before they are stemmed or hulled. Most small fruits are so juicy, i.e., they have so much water in them, that it is not neces- sary to add water for canning or cooking. Therefore, such fruits should be drained thoroughly after washing. If there are any decayed or bruised spots on fruit, they should be cut away. The skins are usually removed from fruit for canning. Like most vegetables, fruits should be thinly pared. Peaches, apri- cots, and tomatoes may be peeled instead of pared. To do this, place the fruit in a wire basket or colander. Then put the basket in a kettle of boiling water. Let the fruit stand for about three minutes. Then remove it from the water. Put the basket of fruit in cold water for a minute or two. Then lift it out of the water, and drain and peel the fruit. Large fruits may be cut into halves, quarters, or slices. Fruits from which the skin has been taken may be kept from discoloring by covering with cold water. 5H Food Preservation How should jars and rubber rings be selected? Glass con- tainers are often used for home canning. There are many dif- ferent types of glass jars. (See Figure 146.) In buying jars keep in mind the following advantages : (1) large opening so that large pieces of fruit may be inserted, (2) interior easy to clean, and (3) cover tightly fitting. A B CD E Figure 146. Glass Jars for Canning Jars for canning are made in different sizes. A and E hold 4 pint ; B and D. 1 pint; C, 1 quart. Two-quart glass jars also are sold. Several styles of lids are shown here. A and C have glass tops which may be clamped tightly by means of wires. D also has a glass top with a special device for clamping. B has a metal screw top, porcelain lined. E has a metal top which may be sealed automatically with the aid of a clamp which is left on the jar only until it is cool. Notice the different sizes of the openings of the jars. Why is a jar with a wide opening desirable for large fruits, canned whole? A rubber ring must be used on a screw-top or glass-top jar so that the cover will fit the jar tightly. It is very important to use new rubber rings. Sometimes after a rubber has been placed on a jar, tiny holes form in the rubber. These allow air to get into the jar. Since air may contain molds, yeasts, or bacteria, the food in the jar spoils. Canning Fruits 515 In selecting rubber rings, make the following tests : 1. Stretch a ring to twice its length. After stretching, it should re- turn to its original size and shape. 2. Fold it tightly ; after folding, no crease or break should show. How should jars and rubbers be prepared for canning ? It is well to test glass jars for leakage before using them for canning. Test jars in this way : x. Partly fill the jar with water. 2. Adjust the rubber and lid, then seal. 3. Invert the jar. 4. Look carefully for leaks. To destroy any bacteria which may be on the jars and lids, scald them thus : 1. Place the jars sidewise in a large kettle; also put the lids in the kettle. 2. Fill and surround the jars with cold water. 3. Place the kettle on the stove. Heat gradually until the water boils; let it continue to boil for at least 15 minutes.