Freezing
Freezing is probably the easiest and most popular way to preserve fall foods. There are some foods, such as lettuce, that are not a good choice to freeze. But you can peel, cut, and freeze carrots, squash, and pumpkin. When freezing berries lay them flat in a bag to ensure they freeze quickly, but this also makes them easier to store. Another good idea when freezing food it to portion them into smaller freezer bags instead of as one huge batch. This will make thawing easier and you'll already know how much is in each package. Don't forget to label each with the date and amount.
Make Jams and Jellies
What could be more delicious than using fall fruits to make your own collection of jams and jellies? When you buy fruits in season, they are more affordable. And by making them into jams and jellies, you will not only enjoy the flavours of fall for months to come, but you'll save money as well. Apples, figs, pears, plums, cranberries and pineapple are all in season during the fall.
Canning
There are two methods for canning food: the water-bath canner and the pressure canner. The water-bath canner is the least expensive canner and is the perfect method for canning fruits, fruit juices, and acidic foods such as tomatoes. You can find canning kits at grocery and hardware stores. To sterilize jars and lids, place them in boiling water. You can make and can homemade applesauce, pumpkin butter, pickled carrots, and much more. When it comes to pressure canning, it's probably the best way to preserve squash and pumpkin.
Drying Herbs
Herbs such as rosemary, basil, chives, oregano, sage, and thyme are in season during autumn. Now is a good time to cut and dry them for later use. Once the dew has dried (if you grow them yourself) off the herbs, tie them into bundles with rubber bands. Hang them in a spot that gets a lot of sun. Air drying helps the herbs retain their essential oils. Basil and chives contain a lot of moisture so you may choose to dry them using a dehydrator or the oven. Store dried herbs in airtight containers and place in a cool, dry spot, away from sun.
Pickling
Pickling might sound complicated, but the only things you need besides the food you're pickling are the jars, water and salt and/or vinegar. Fall harvest foods you can pickle includes: beets, turnips, carrots, cranberries, and pumpkin. Pickled foods often last several years making it a good long-term solution for preserving fall foods you love. It's also an economical choice as they can remain at room temperature.
Once you determine the methods of preserving food that works best for you, you'll be able to enjoy the harvest a little longer each year. With the advantage of the internet, you can find many delicious recipes online to make.
