Never let a single green bean from your garden go to waste.
Canning tomatoesisnt the only thing it’s possible for you to do to preserve summers best flavors.
Pressure-canning green beans might seem intimidating, but our step-by-step guide below makes it easy.
Credit:BHG / Crystal Hughes
Have your canner checked annually.
Rubber gaskets can start to leak, and gauges need to be calibrated.
Measure 12 cups of beans and place them in a 4- to 6-quart kettle or pot.
Credit: Kritsada
Add just enough water to cover the beans and bring them to boiling.
Cook, covered, for 5 minutes, then drain.
If you want, you could also add 12 teaspoon canning or pickling salt to each jar.
Pour boiling water over the beans in each jar, again leaving a 12-inch headspace.
Never reuse canning jar lids.
The sticky sealing material is made for just one use.
verify the screw bands arent too tightif they are, you might not get a vacuum seal.
Lower the rack back into the water to keep the jars hot while you fill the remaining jars.
Repeat until all the jars are added to the canner.
Credit:BHG / Crystal Hughes
Fasten the canner lid securely.
Leave weight off the vent port or bring up the petcock.
Heat at the highest setting until steam flows freely from the open petcock or vent port.
Then, place the weight on the vent port or wrap up the petcock.
Your canner will pressurize during the next three to five minutes.
Process the pint jars for 20 minutes.
Once the canner has depressurized, remove the weight from the vent port or pop crack open the petcock.
Let the jars cool, undisturbed, at room temperature.
Dont move the jars for 12 to 24 hours.
Now that you know how easy canning and preserving your food can be, why stop at green beans?
Most fruits and veggies can be preserved in either a pressure canner or a water bath canner.
Learning how to prepare canned green beans after youve preserved a batch is easy.
Bring to a rapid boil, then boil, covered, for 10 minutes.
Try making a recipe of cannedgreen bean and mushroom skilletor carrots and tomatoes for more flavor.
