Easiest/Fastest/Least Work things to Can???

I'm on modified bedrest (high risk pregnancy) and am allowed up for about 5-10 minutes every hour or so then I have to lay back down. I've been dehydrating portabella's since this works well without risking the baby. Soon I'll be able to dehydrate Sugar Snap Peas (these are REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD dehydrated- dehydrate them whole or they will turn brown).

I'm trying to figure out what I can can (either pressure or HWB) that can fit into this scheme. As long as I can process while sitting and don't lift anything heavier than 5 lbs and take lots of breaks I'm allowed to do it. Not quite sure how I'm gonna get zuchini relish, spaghetti sauce, BBQ sauce, etc done this year but there has got to be SOMETHING productive I can do. We like most homedone foods and I have access to alot of stuff once production comes in (either my garden or family that only uses what they want and gives excess to me every year).

Chicken or turkey. Just stuff the pieces into jars and process. No liquid required (they make their own), no need to debone. The processing time will fit right in with having to go back to bed.

For other things, dehydrating is probably your best bet this year. Tomatoes dehydrate well as do peppers, onions, garlic, peas, corn, beans, pumpkin, fruits, and lots more. For your sauces, just dehydrate all the 'fixings' and mix them together when you use them. Not the most perfect solution, but under the circumstances, a lot better than have to pass over the garden season.

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"Challenges are what make life interesting -- overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

For relish chop them up ahead of time and stick in baggies until it is time to put it all together.

Thanks for the ideas!! I do need to can more BLSL chicken breasts, I think I'm down to one jar.

I make a killer zuchini relish but have to simmer it for around an hour, even with cutting it down to a single batch I'd probably be simmering for 1/2 hour (stirring constantly or it will scorch). Hopefully Dr will lighten up a bit on my restrictions so I can make some more this year although I probably still have enough to last another year if I'm stingy with it.

I did get a bit addicted to dehydrating last year- so much can be done and it really saves space. Thanks for reminding me of all the stuff I can dehydrate.

How about canned beans ? Just rehydrate them overnight, then go from there .

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Lucy
Master Food Preserver/ Food Safety Advisor

Instead of simmering for an hour on the stove and watching it try simmering it in a crockpot. Then when the time is up come back and put in your jars and can it up.

I'd never thought of that, will definitely have to try it!! Thanks