Perfectly Preserved Podcast

With apples in abundance, it’s time to make the most of them by using every last drop. On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss how to make and preserve apple cider at home.  You’ll learn what tools you need for a smooth apple cider making process, and which apples are best for apple cider. Jenny also shares advice for using every last bit of your apples like a true food preservat...

If you’re looking for ways to preserve now that will enhance your cooking later, look no further! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share how to prepare and store flavored vinegars. We discuss container options for flavored vinegar and how to properly prepare them, including corked bottles for your cottagecore goals. You’ll learn how to infuse your vinegar with just enough of the r...

Few things say fall more than pumpkin, but did you know it can only be preserved with some guidelines in mind? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss how to preserve everything pumpkin.  We discuss what sets pumpkin apart from other foods, and what that means for how to preserve it. You’ll learn what it takes to work around pumpkin’s low acidity and high density when canning, as...

Is there a preserved food that feels and tastes like home to you? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share preserves that hold a special place in various regions of the country.  You’ll learn about the most-loved preserves from across the nation, and tips to make them as delectable as can be. Jenny discusses what makes a preserve special, her secret ingredient for blackberry jam, an...

Back-to-school season means busier days ahead, and pressure canning is here to ease your load! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share three things to pressure can to help your family this school year. You’ll learn how to make delicious recipes from The Pressure Canning Cookbook by Jennifer Gomes. These include Gram’s Hamburger Soup, Chili Con Carne, and Every Bean and Ham Soup. Yo...

Don’t just take canning advice from us, hear from our listeners! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share the best canning advice our listeners have received.  You’ll learn tips and tricks from others, including the best way to find new safe and tested recipes and the one canning item you should only buy from a name brand. Jenny shares the canning equipment that listeners say you mu...

Canning season is at its peak. Wondering where to focus your time? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share three (plus a few more) things you should can this week. We’ve curated a list of our most beloved and practical foods to can so you don’t have to feel scrambled.   We share why berry jam yields high satisfaction and what is missing from your jam if it’s not quite right. We als...

Could you make 2,000 jars of jam in 5 months? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, Anna takes us along for the ride as she prepares to sell her jam at Utah’s largest Christmas market. You’ll learn the behind the scenes of what it takes to run a small food preservation business and prepare for markets.  Anna shares how she got into this German-style Christmas market and why she has her si...

It’s time to expand your horizons and elevate your pantry staples with preserved mushrooms! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss everything you need to know about  how to preserve mushrooms so you can start today.  We get into which varieties of mushrooms are safe for home preservation and why preserving foraged mushrooms is not recommended. You’ll learn how to prepare mushroo...

If you’re just starting out with canning this summer, look no further! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss what you need to know if this is your very first summer canning. We have everything you need to get started with canning right here in this episode.  We teach you how your elevation will inform your canning practices and about all of the essential equipment you need. Jen...

We’re all about making sure preserves are both safe and delicious! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss the pH level of canning recipes and how to be sure that what you’re making is safe.  We cover the ins and outs of pH levels in canning, so that you confidently know if you should water bath, steam can, or pressure can a given recipe. You’ll also learn why pH testing strips h...

Preserving is in the headlines, and we’re here for it! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we cover the news on George Washington’s preserved cherries and offer inspiration for how to incorporate cherries into your preserving this summer.  We bring you all the fun details on the discovery of preserved fruit at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, including how it was found, how it was preser...

On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share how to pickle eggs. This episode is filled with the pickled egg process from start to finish, amazing tips for perfect egg texture, and the chit-chat you asked for! We cover how to properly store and serve pickled eggs so you can identify safe bar offerings. We also teach you how to select eggs to pickle, the steps to take to avoid rubbery or...

It’s time to get into summer mode with crisp homemade pickles! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we dive into how to make the most crisp pickles and other preserves. This episode covers all of the common additives used to make crisp preserves, so you can choose the best one for you.  We cover why pickling lime is now considered a subpar additive and how it can lead to botulism. You’ll...

If you have a baby in your life who you want to make nutritious food for, then this is just the episode for you. On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss how to make canned baby food. This episode is perfect for you if you want to take the reins to know what’s in your baby food and how it was produced.  We cover how homemade canned baby food differs from store bought baby food. Th...

Wondering where canned goods fall on the health scale? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss how to make your canned foods as healthy as possible. We cover ways you can add nourishing foods to your pantry by canning. You’ll learn about which organic foods you can can to reduce your pesticide exposure, how pressure-canned beans and meat are nutrient dense pantry staples, and why...

On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss how to get ready for the canning season. Grab your pen and paper! This episode is full of our most helpful tips to set yourself up for a successful canning season. We cover how to spring clean your kitchen for canning and take a canning inventory. You’ll also hear what you can do now to lower your canning expenses and how to maintain your p...

Does high sugar content have you down about canned goods? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we dive into canning with low sugar or no sugar. We cover every option for lightening up or eliminating the sugar in your canning recipes. You’ll learn how to use fruit juice, how to substitute sugar for honey, and how artificial sweeteners affect a recipe. We also share our experience with Pam...

If you find yourself wanting to expedite the canning process, then this is the episode for you. On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we discuss if you can safely stack jars in your pressure canner or water bath canner to save time.  We tell you everything you need to know in order to stack your jars in a water bath canner and pressure canner without compromising safety.  You’ll learn the...

Glass jars and shipping aren’t always the best match, but we have some helpful secrets to share. On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we teach you everything you need to know about how to ship canned goods. We share our very best tips, including how to make the shipping cost more reasonable and the best material to keep jars from breaking. Anna tells why she always puts each jar through...

Ready to take your preservation skills beyond jars? On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we share how to cold smoke bacon and discuss other forms of meat preservation. Anna is here to give all the secrets she learned in her recent cold smoked bacon class, allowing you to learn from her experience. She walks through the process of cold smoking bacon from start to finish and explains why i...

Summer is around the corner, meaning every canner is making grand plans for canning season.  On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, Anna and Jenny are together to share what they’re excited to preserve this summer. Join in on our enthusiasm for the canning season!  Anna shares how a drip system will revolutionize both her garden and preservation plans, and Jenny explains why bone broth and...

Spring is in the air, and we’re here to help you embrace every bit of it! On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we cover how to make jellies and more with wildflowers, herbs, and evergreens. We share the key components of flower petal canning recipes and why each ingredient is necessary to make a safe and delicious product. Anna shares her dreams of making spruce tip jelly and Jenny talks...

On this week’s episode of Perfectly Preserved, we’re diving into the history of food preservation. With so much noise around what’s safe and what’s not, we’re stepping in to share how canning has evolved and what canning recommendations have stood the test of time. Our discussion will turn you into the canning history buff you’ve always wanted to be. We talk about the invention of the mason jar, c...

Drumroll, please! Today marks the grand release of The Pressure Canning Cookbook , written by your host, Jenny Gomes. In this episode, Anna and Jenny offer a preview of this amazing pressure canning resource. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie to the world of pressure canning, this cookbook is your ticket to preserving perfection. With Jenny’s crystal clear instructions, you'll co...