Preserving MI Harvest

Online via Zoom
Thursdays, April 6 - September 21, 2023

Join the MSU Extension Food Safety Team to learn how to preserve food safely at home using current preservation methods and research-based resources. Let us help you fill your pantry and freezer by preserving food at home. Join online via zoom using your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or any device with internet access. Classes are free and we invite you to register for any sessions you are interested in.

Classes are offered on Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. or from 6-7 p.m. ET. sessions include:

• April 6 - Drying Produce and Herbs
  • Discover how to use a variety of food dehydrators to safely dry produce, herbs, and fruit leathers.

• April 13 - Preserving Michigan's Spring Catch
  
  • Join us for tips on preserving Michigan's spring catch of fish.

• April 20 - Preserving Springtime Produce
  
  • Fresh produce like rhubarb and asparagus will soon be available. Join us to discover how to preserve produce from your spring harvest.

• May 4 - Mushrooms: Foraging and Preserving 
  
  • Interested in mushrooms? Explore tips on foraging, preserving, and using mushrooms safely.

• May 11 - Preservation Recipes and Tools of the Trade
  
  • Explore home food preservation tools of the trade and recipes that will make preserving easy and fun. Always preserve using research-based recipes then make it your own after you open the jar. 

• May 18 - Freeze Drying 
  
  • Freeze drying is an emerging food preservation process that uses a low-temperature dehydration process. Join to find out more, whether you are interested in starting this process or just want to learn more. 

• June 1 - Condiments 
  
  • There's nothing better than having homemade condiments to top off your favorite burger or sandwich. Discover some tasty homemade preservation recipes for relishes, mustard, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, and more.

• June 8 - Homemade Dressings
  • Learn to make flavorful homemade dressings using your herbs to spice up your salad.

• June 15 - Celebrating Juneteenth: African-American Cuisine
  • African-American cuisine has influenced American cooking for decades. Join us as we discover the history of Junetheenth, safe food preservation methods, and recipes with guest speaker Crystal White.

• June 22 - Preserving Sweet Strawberries
  • It's strawberry season! Explore how to can and freeze, as well as make jam with this popular fruit. Preserve your strawberries now to enjoy all year long.

• June 29 - Veggies - From Garden to Freezer 
  • Learn how to freeze your garden fresh vegetables by blanching and freezing. We'll discuss what blanching is, what to blanch, and tips for freezing veggies.

• July 13 - Green Beans and Pressure Canning
  
  • Green beans are a popular vegetable for canning but they must be pressure canned. Join us and experience how easy it is to pressure can green beans and other vegetables.

• July 20 - Summer Berries = Jam and Jelly 
  
  • Enjoy the taste of summer while having fun making jams and jellies using fresh summer fruits.

• July 27 - Know Your Canner
  
  • Discover how to safely preserve high-acid foods like fruits, acidified tomatoes, salsas, and pickles using your water bath or atmospheric steam canner.

• August 3 - Pickling Cucumbers and More
  
  • Cucumbers are one of the most popular produce items to pickle. Join us to learn the proper steps for pickling produce including cucumbers and so much more.

• August 10 - Peaches and Pears, Oh My
  
  • Delicious peaches and pears are in season. Explore a variety of recipe ideas to preserve these tasty fruits.

• August 17 - Preserving Dried Ingredient Mixes
  • Join us to learn about the different methods of drying summer produce to use as ingredients in your dishes all year long!

• August 24 - Picked a Peck of Peppers - Now What?
  • Sweet peppers and hot peppers, what can you do with them all? They can be frozen, canned, pickled, or dehydrated by using simple preservation methods!

• September 7 - Too Many Tomatoes
  • What to do with your bounty of tomatoes? We'll share a variety of ways to preserve them to enjoy year-round.

• September 14 - Sweet and Savory Salsa 
  • Salsa is a great way to preserve your tomatoes and peppers. Join us to learn the science of preserving sweet and savory salsas!

• September 21- Preserving Corn, It's "A-maizeing"! 
  • Corn is a summer produce staple. This session will discuss various ways to preserve corn.