Preserving Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving brings not just a day of feasting but also the inevitable bounty of leftovers. Transforming these into preserved delights means you can relish the flavors of Thanksgiving all year round. Let’s explore the best methods to preserve turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, focusing on whether pressure canning or water bath canning is most suitable for each.

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Turkey and Ham

For turkey and ham, pressure canning is the recommended method. This process involves placing the meat in jars and then processing them in a pressure canner. The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) provides detailed guidelines for safely canning these meats. They recommend processing filled jars at 10-15 pounds of pressure, depending on your altitude, for 75 minutes for pints and 90 minutes for quarts​​. This method ensures the meat is safely preserved, retaining its flavor and texture.

Mashed Potatoes

Canning mashed potatoes directly is not recommended due to safety concerns. However, you can preserve potatoes by dicing and then pressure canning them. Diced potatoes have a larger surface area, allowing even heat penetration throughout the jar, effectively eliminating harmful bacteria. Once canned, these potatoes can be heated and mashed quickly​​​​. This method is versatile, allowing you to preserve various potato types, including russets, red potatoes, and Yukon Golds.

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce can be preserved through water bath canning, a simpler method suitable for high-acid foods. The process involves cooking the cranberry sauce, placing it in sterilized jars, and then boiling these jars in a water bath canner. This method effectively seals the jars and preserves the sauce​​.

Remember, proper canning requires meticulous attention to temperatures, timings, and sterilization to ensure food safety. By following these methods, you can enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving throughout the year. Always adhere to safety guidelines and use proper canning techniques to ensure the quality and safety of your preserved foods. For more information and safety guidelines, please visit National Center for Home Food Preservation (uga.edu)

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