7 reasons why everyone should try canning (at least once)

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -- Theodore Roosevelt

I saw this quote in a magazine the other day, and was reminded that one of the hardest parts about moving to Missouri was getting used to living in town. My husband and I both grew up in the country, both of us at least a 30-minute drive from any kind of shopping center, and so suddenly living right on Main Street, even in a small town, was a bit of a trial for us.

So what was our solution? Did we change our mindset, get involved in the community and become "townies" so to speak? No, although I briefly considered it. Instead, we came to terms with where we live by pretending we still live in the country.

This doesn't mean that my husband steps out on the back porch in his underwear or that we have a tractor parked in our driveway. Instead, we've brought our country lifestyle to town in smaller, less noticeable ways. Mainly, we live the country life through our food.

For my husband, that means hunting and fishing regularly, and keeping our freezer stocked with fresh meat. For me, that means taking advantage of the longer growing season here and keeping our pantry stocked with jars of garden-fresh goodies.

I can easily thank my parents for my canning obsession. As far back as I can remember, I had to take part in the growing and storing of our family's food, and though it seemed like a chore at the time, being able to crack into a jar of golden, brandied peaches or homemade spiced gooseberry jam in the dead of winter was all the reward I needed.

Now, food preservation has pretty much become a hobby for me, and I firmly believe everyone should at least give it a try. Here's why:

1. It gives you a more solid understanding of how food is "made." You've probably already anticipated this argument, or even heard it before. But in today's food culture, there's a sort of obsession with understanding where food comes from and how it's processed. Instead of just reading or hearing about it, why not do it yourself?
2. It's not that hard. Really. Some books and websites make it sound a lot more tedious than it is. Basically, just make sure your jars, utensils and workspace are clean, and make sure you follow the instructions on the recipe. Once you get the hang of it, you'll figure out where you can cut corners.
3. It's old-fashioned. Home-canned food is what our grandparents and great-grandparents lived off of. Embrace the nostalgia.
4. It's not that time-consuming. Well, okay, it can be. The key is to do it in steps if you can. For example, if you're making something like salsa, cook it up one day; reheat it and process the jars the next. Many canning recipes can be broken up like this. Of course there are some things that should be done and processed the same day, but really, what's one Saturday?
5. You have full control over your food. Thus, it's generally tastier than store-bought, and often better for you since you don't have all the preservatives in it.
6. You will gain a new sense of independence. Knowing that you have a skill that makes you more self-reliant is a beautiful thing. And the idea of not having to depend on the store for everything is kind of nice, isn't it?
7. It's not that hard. Really, I mean it.

And for all you newbies out there, don't worry, there are plenty of easy recipes you can try. I recommend starting off making something like applesauce or salsa. Intrigued? Here's a great place to get started.

Veteran canners, do you have a favorite recipe or technique? I'd love to hear it. Please share by posting your comments below.