Can I pressure can frozen veggies?

wmsff · #1 09/21/10, 10:23 AM

Has anyone ever tried to can store purchased frozen veggies like corn, peas, beans, ect? Right now all the frozen veggies are on sale at $1/lb, or less at BJ'S. I am wondering if it would be best to purchase that and then can them, rather than buy cans for longer term storage.

PS: I didn't plant corn this year, but the mice took the peas and beans

Thanks

Granny Sue · #2 09/21/10, 10:29 AM

Seems to me it would be better to just keep them frozen unless that isn't an option for you. You will lose some nutritional value by thawing and then canning them but it can certainly be done.

Ohio dreamer · #3 09/21/10, 10:32 AM

I don't see that wouldn't work. I know you can dry frozen veg. without any problems. I'm heading to BJ's this week....I'll have to look into that sale!

Horseyrider · #4 09/21/10, 10:47 AM

The only downside I can see is that one of my main goals in growing my own is to assure myself of minimal processing. This is a lot of processing.

I might can a vegetable, or I might freeze a vegetable; but I don't think I'd do both. Not unless I was really broke and had no room in the freezer and it was the difference between eating veggies and not eating veggies.

But that's just me.

Windy in Kansas · #5 09/21/10, 11:11 AM

With all of the expense of heating and canning supplies not to mention the labor perhaps you would arrive at everyday prices and make no gains from the sale prices offered.

I guess it would depend on which vegetables you might be thinking of, but I'm thinking of a lot of over cooked soggy ones.

tamsam · #6 09/21/10, 02:36 PM

Is there anywhere you a can find fresh vegges? that would be the best way to go but then as Wendy said add up the cost and you may come out ahead to just buy the canned ones. Most canned veggies her are less than a $1 a pound. Hope you the best. Sam

Common Tator · #7 09/21/10, 05:07 PM

I think it is a wonderful idea. I think I'll do it. Our garden wasn't as good as hoped this year. We lose power at the ranch at least once a winter, usually more. Last year it was for a week! Having a full freezer is nice, but you could easily lose it all.

texican · #8 09/21/10, 05:53 PM

I'd check out fresh produce prices first... have to be cheaper than overly processed frozen...

I picked up about 30 cases of corn, beans, peas this summer, during a Libby's 4/$1 sale at the local grocer. Canning lids cost a minimum of 15c/each... leaving only a 10c margin for the food inside, and all of the processing cost... I can't grow stuff that cheap.

Hint * Get to know your local market's manager, and make a deal on vegetables about ready to toss. You might be surprised at how much of a mark down you can get (or possibly even get for free). I get 50 to a 100lbs of meat each day I'm in, at the local market. I could get all of the vegetables, but I'd need to arrange to pick stuff up every day, and right now, I'm only there ~4 days a week.

dixienc · #9 09/21/10, 05:59 PM

You would have to make sure that you heat them to boiling before putting in the jars. I have used frozen veggies in my canned soups and stews even chili and they came out a little soft but still good tasting. I usually dehydrate the frozen veggies if I can get them on sale from the grocery stores, you don't even have to thaw them, just spread the frozen veggies on trays and turn the unit on. But I can understand why having the veggies jarred up is a good idea in case of power outages.

paintlady · #10 09/21/10, 08:31 PM

You may end up with mush as pressure canning tends to really soften veggies. You would be better off to dry them.

wmsff · #11 09/22/10, 07:51 AM

Thanks all. Yes it is the power outages I am concerned about. We usually have several interuptions lasting up to two days in winter. A few years ago we were without power for 8 days. I am not normally a "gloom and doom" type person, but I think they way the economy is going rolling blackouts, and gasoline interruptions are a possibility.

I have a dehydrator, but I guess I am just paranoid I wont do it right and it will mold

My freezer is huge (22cf), but it's mostly filled with meat. I am only now beginning to pressure can.

Again, thanks all

Granny Sue · #12 09/23/10, 08:11 AM

Your freezer should be fine for 2 day outages. Just don't open it. Ours is in an unheated outside building and once went for 9 days during a bad icestorm with no power. We did not lose a thing. As soon as we saw the damage we knew we'd be out for a while, so we took out enough meat for a few days, packed the freezer full of ice and snow, closed the lid and left it alone. the stuff in the fridge went into coolers on the porch. Everything kept fine until the power was restored.

Windy in Kansas · #13 09/23/10, 08:32 AM

With that large of a freezer filled with $$$$ I'd opt for a small generator to keep on hand. As stated one can go without running for several days, and if using a generator need not run 24/7.

Chixarecute · #14 09/23/10, 04:19 PM

Drying is easy, gives good results, and long lasting. Fire up that dehydrator & give it a whirl. I find it hard to dry fruits like cherries reliably, but many fruits & veggies dry well - 135 degrees and 12 hours. Store in glass not plastic for best results.