Strawberry season is here, and it’s as sweet as ever. If you’ve ever visited a u-pick farm, you know that berries are the sweetest this time of year right off the plant. If we could preserve that freshness in a jar to enjoy year-round, most of us would. But we have good news: canning at home makes it possible.
Although the process of canning and preserving might seem daunting at first, we’ve gathered a few pro tips to help you pick up a time-honored craft. Birmingham-based Jenny McCain, owner and founder of Woodhill Cottage—the gold standard for small-batch conserves and jams—says smart techniques make all the difference..
She would know—her bustling jam business grew purely by word of mouth.
“As people moved into my neighborhood, I would take them homemade jam and a plate of hot biscuits to welcome them,” she says. Then, more and more people began requesting her conserves and jams. A lawyer by day, she runs her conserve and jam business, Woodhill Cottage, as a creative outlet. “I wanted something where every jar tasted like you are eating the fresh fruit,” says McCain.
Using her grandmother’s recipes and staying committed to tried-and-true old-time methods, she’s built a business with the intent to provide quality products that taste as if you made them yourself. Canning is like cooking; it undoubtedly takes trial, error, practice, and time. But if you’ are attempting to can for the first time, she shares a few insider tips that can give you a head start.
Keep the Ingredients Simple
Simple ingredients can make all the difference when making preserves., and many times better when making preserves.
“Keep it simple. I find the most straightforward recipes are the best, especially ones that have been around for a while. No need to reinvent the wheel,” she says.
Start with High-Quality Products
After researching and landing on the recipe you want to use for preserves, you’ll want to think about your produce. In the South, local farmers’ markets are a great place to source fresh fruits and vegetables.
“The goal is always to find the best possible products. And, of course, this means they must be fresh and in season,” McCain says. Peak season for strawberries in the South is April and May, so now is the time to plan that trip to your local farmer’s market if you’re looking for strawberries.
Carve Out Dedicated Time
As with most cooking processes, it’s essential to dedicate enough time for canning.
“Block out several hours for canning so you aren’t rushed. I think first thing early in the morning is a great time. And, always, always, gather all of your ingredients before you start,” she explains.
If you’re canning for the first time, carving out additional time in the beginning is essential. Speed will come as you improve your process, but remember that canning is time-intensive. The process doesn’t happen overnight. Patience is a virtue, they say.
Use Produce Immediately
It’s always best to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and use them as soon as possible.
“Buy your fruit just before you plan to make your jam, ideally the day of or the day before. You simply can’t let it sit three or four days before you use it if you want a good end product,” says McCain.
You want to preserve the fruit at its peak of freshness, and this is right after it is picked or purchased.
Use the Right Tools
A craftsperson is only ever as good as the tools they work with—likewise, the tools you use when canning matter.
“I used everything from a paring knife to a regular teaspoon, until I settled on a strawberry huller as the most efficient tool for coring strawberries. You really do learn by doing,” she explains.
Finding which tools work best for you and your canning process might take several attempts and trial and error, but the result is worth the effort.
Use a Copper Pot
It might take some practice and multiple attempts to fine-tune your canning process. Before finding the one that works best for her, McCain initially tried many different pots, from All-Clad stainless steel cookware to cast iron.
“I really love the classic copper jam pot for its even distribution of heat and wide cooking area,” she shares.
Thankfully, if your first batch of preserves doesn’t turn out as you had hoped or you’re short on time, you can conveniently order homemade Strawberry Conserve, Peach Conserve, and Tomato Jam right from Woodhill Cottage’s website.
With flat-rate shipping, Woodhill Cottage delivers right to your door. Your biscuit— and your taste buds— will thank you, but if you end up ordering more and forgoing the canning process altogether, we understand that sentiment, too.
We’re already fans of the Woodhill Cottage’s Strawberry Conserve, and we can’t wait to try the Peach Conserve and Tomato Jam.
