Healthy Tips – Tomatoes
Did you know? The tomato is a fruit from the nightshade family native to South America. The Spanish first introduced tomatoes to Europe, where they became used in Spanish and Italian food. Despite...
Category: Tasty Bites
Healthy Tips – Squash
Did you know? Squash is native to the Americas; remains have been found in Central America and Mexico dating back as far as 7000 BC. Yellow varieties of squash provide numerous health benefits; high...
Healthy Tip – Silver Queen Corn
Did you know? Silver Queen Corn is a favorite; the 8-inch tapered ears fill to the tip with 14-16 rows of tender, sweet white kernels with excellent flavor. Kernels contain moderate degrees of sugar...
Healthy Tip – Cucumbers
Did you know? The cucumber is originally from South Asia, but now grows on most continents. It is high in beneficial nutrients, plant compounds, and antioxidants beneficial to health. Cucumbers are...
Making Sauerkraut
What do sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, and yogurt have in common? They are all fermented foods. Fermenting has been around for thousands of years and is the method of preparation for a variety...
Pressure Canning
Every year we get the following question at the Home & Garden Information Center: “I canned my green beans in a water bath canner. Are they safe?” And when we say NO, we hear: “But my mother and...
No Canning Zucchini & Summer Squash
The one thing we know, FOR SURE, about food safety is that it is always evolving. That is one of the main reasons, Food Safety Agents are always pushing for people to always reference research-based...
Canning and Preserving Tips: Why Blanch?
Why blanch vegetables before freezing? Blanching vegetables before freezing is critical to quality, but not safety. Blanching is scalding vegetables in boiling water or steam for a short time. It is...
Get Ready for Canning Season – Canning Tips from Dr. Susan Barefoot
Canning season is here! Here’s is a list of things to do RIGHT NOW so that your canning projects go as smooth and easy as possible! Start With Your Pressure Canner Three manufacturers, Presto,...
French Fry Alternatives
According to the USDA, the two highest consumed vegetables in the United States are potatoes and tomatoes. 40% of that potato consumption was frozen and 58% of the tomato consumption was canned. We...
Easter Ham Leftovers Make Great Ham Balls
Looking for a new recipe to help use up your leftover Easter ham? Move over egg salad sandwiches and ham casseroles, and let me introduce you to ham balls! If you have never heard of ham balls you...
Easter Egg Safety
A few years ago, I crossed paths with an individual who was eager to eat the dyed eggs after a lengthy outdoor Easter egg hunt. My reaction was “No! Don’t do that!”. Foodborne illness is a concern...