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Yreka, CA

My poor husband and kids have always had to suffer from the fact that I have very little knowledge of cooking proceedure... So, with regard to things like pumpkin pickles, how do you "process in boiliing water?" does this involve placing the sealed jar in a pot of boiling water? Won't the jar burst? Should I put something under the jars to keep them from coming on contact with the bottom of the pot? Thank you so much for any info, and also, thanks to everyone, particularly Killer, for the excellent recipes!!!!! Patience

8/9/2002 1:58:43 PM

Cologne / Germany

No, they won´t burst standing in a metal pot. As if you want to fill boiling water into a jar, just put the blade of a kitchen knife under it. Some knowledge from my grandma.

8/9/2002 3:19:49 PM

Yreka, CA

What is the purpose of this processing once they are sealed? (Boy, I really need to take a cooking class or something!) Patience

8/9/2002 5:05:25 PM

Walton N.y.

thepvz,processing in a hot water bath means to take the glass jar that you've filled with whatever foodstuff you're making leaving headspace (the air space between the jar lip and the top of the food stuff)usually 1/2 inch then clean the lip of the jar with a clean paper towel add then secure your lid (also known as 2 pc. seal)then place those jars into a pot of boiling water for a specified time this helps the seal on the lid system bond to the glass forming a seal keeping the contents from spoiling some people that process food in this way put a small towel in the bottom of the pot they put those jars in to act as a cushion for the jars but if you use jars designed for this process very few break and the major companies that make those jars have books on canning ball and kerr both have books along with most pressure cooker companies the wife and i put up lots of veggies this way email us privately for more info

8/9/2002 6:15:55 PM

Yreka, CA

Thanks Randy! That's exactly the sort of answer I was hoping for! Patience

8/11/2002 7:20:50 PM

Walton N.y.

no problem the wife and i put up lots of stuff for winter use pickles, beans, relish , salsa ,tomatoes it's not that hard just takes time randy

8/14/2002 9:07:31 PM

New Brunswick

I bought a canner made with a wire rack specifically for this purpose. You can get two sizes...one for pints and one for quarts. You can get this and the bottles at a Wallmart or hdwre store. (You need jar rings and snap lids as well.) If you want to use a pot and not buy one, it helps to place a towel under them in the pot as well as tear up strips of rags so they do not bang together and break. Wash and scald your jars. Fill them, leaving a 1/2 inch airspace. Wipe rim pf bottle and make sure there are no defects or nicks in the bottles. Place on rings and snap lids. Tighten snugly ...do not overtighten though. Pour boiling water over the tops and cover. Place on high heat and boil for 20 minutes and longer. (You might want to buy a recipie book or email me for specific recipies) Do not attempt to can vegetables or meat this way. You need a pressure cooker for that. Some people do but they run a risk of getting a deadly botulism. It is safe to do tomatoes however. Pickles usually do not need processed. The sugar and vinegar make them safe.

8/11/2003 9:53:44 PM

New Brunswick

I forgot...take those strips of rags and tie them around the jars so they don't bump together.

8/11/2003 9:56:13 PM