Storing and preserving garden produce for dummies® (paperback)

How to enjoy your healthy harvest year-round - and cut your food bill

The grow-your-own movement has taken Britain by storm, but growing your own produce is only half the story. You"ll also want to know how to store what you grow so you can enjoy it all year round. Storing & Preserving Garden Produce For Dummies fills you in on everything you need to know and walks you step by step through the best methods. Discover clamping, freezing, drying, salting, smoking, pickling, fermenting, jamming and more!

• Keep the fruits of your labours - get to grips with dozens of mouthwatering ways to preserve an array of tree fruits, berries and fruiting vegetables

• Veg out - discover easy storing and preserving techniques for a wide range of veggies and herbs, along with delicious recipes you can make with your homemade products

• Go wild - get expert guidance on finding, enjoying and storing an array of wild-growing delights, such as blackberries, dandelions, nuts, sorrels, nettles, mushrooms and lots more

Open the book and find:

• How to choose the best fruits and vegetables for preserving

• Ways to identify suitable equipment you already own

• Tips on buying items you need

• Essential health and safety rules

• Step-by-step instructions for an array of preserving methods

• Methods for storing fruits and vegetables

• Recipes for relishes, chutneys, jellies, jams, marmalades and cordials

• Advice for when foraging in the wild for storable foods

Go to Dummies.com®for videos, step-by-step examples, how-to articles or to shop!

Learn to:

• Get the best out of your home-grown produce

• Choose from a variety of storing and preserving methods

• Make your own delicious jams, chutneys and more

• Preserve and store your produce safely

Part I: Understanding Preserving 7

Chapter 1: Experiencing the Good Life with Good Reasons 9

Chapter 2: Equipping Yourself and Your Kitchen 21

Chapter 3: Preserving Garden Produce Safely 33

Part II: Discovering Storing and Preserving Methods 51

Chapter 4: Boxing, Bagging and Clamping: Cool Storage Options 53

Chapter 5: Preserving With Sweetness: Jams, Jellies and Syrup 71

Chapter 6: Using Vinegar to Preserve Your Produce 87

Chapter 7: Freezing and Refrigerating Home Produce 103

Chapter 8: Drying, Salting and Vacuum-Packing Your Produce 117

Chapter 9: Drinking Up Time: Imbibing Your Own Liquid Refreshments 129

Part III: Working with Home-Grown Fruits 149

Chapter 10: Enjoying Outstanding Orchard Offerings 151

Chapter 11: Making the Most of Your Berry, Berry Good Soft-Fruit Harvest 177

Chapter 12: Storing and Enjoying Fruiting Vegetables 199

Part IV: Keeping and Eating Garden Vegetables 223

Chapter 13: Going Underground: Rootin' Around with Root Vegetables 225

Chapter 14: Making Room for Legumes: The Bean Harvest 247

Chapter 15: Harvesting the Best of the Rest 259

Part V: Preserving and Using Herbs, Eggs and Wild Extras 281

Chapter 16: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme: Enjoying Glorious Garden Herbs 283

Chapter 17: Enjoying Eggs All Year Round 305

Chapter 18: Going Wild in the Country 323

Part VI: The Part of Tens 345

Chapter 19: Ten Pointers for Perfect Preserving 347

Chapter 20: Ten Troubleshooting Tips 353

Chapter 21: Ten (or So) Ways to Take Storing and Preserving Further 359

Index 369