Delicious and Convenient: Canning Potatoes for Quick and Easy Meals

Canning Potatoes for Quick and Easy Meals: A Single Mother's Story

In this heartwarming tale, let's embark on a journey of love and practicality as we explore the process of canning potatoes. 

• It all started when my youngest daughter, a single mother raising five incredible kids (two biological and three adopted), found herself in need of a convenient meal solution. She had visited a food bank/pantry and returned home with an abundance of fresh produce, including a whopping 50 pounds of potatoes. With her busy schedule and endless activities to juggle, she turned to me for help. As a mother who adores her daughters and grandchildren, I couldn't resist lending a hand. Together, we set out to can those potatoes in just one day, ensuring a fast and easy option for meals that would keep up with the demands of a bustling household.

Canning Potatoes: A Time-Saving Solution

• Canning is a fantastic preservation method that allows you to store food for extended periods, maintaining its freshness and flavor. By canning the potatoes, we were able to create a ready-to-use ingredient that could be quickly incorporated into various dishes. Not only did it save time in meal preparation, but it also ensured that the bountiful harvest from the food pantry wouldn't go to waste.

Here's how we canned those 50 pounds of potatoes:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before diving into the canning process, it's essential to gather all the necessary supplies. Here's what you'll need:

- 50 pounds of potatoes (or any amount you have)

- Mason jars with lids and bands

- Large pot or canner for boiling

- Jar lifter to handle hot jars

- Knife and cutting board

- Water

- Salt (optional)

- Pressure canner (optional, for long-term storage)

Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes

• Start by washing the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Peel the potatoes if desired, although leaving the skins on adds texture and flavor to the canned potatoes. Chop the potatoes into cubes or slices, ensuring uniformity in size for even cooking.

Step 3: Blanch the Potatoes

• Blanching helps preserve the color, texture, and nutritional value of the potatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and carefully add the potato cubes or slices. Allow them to cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on their size. Blanching times may vary, so keep an eye on them and test for doneness by inserting a fork into a potato piece. It should be slightly tender but still firm. Once blanched, immediately transfer the potatoes to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Pack the Jars

• Prepare your jars by washing them with warm, soapy water and sterilizing them. Fill each jar with the blanched potatoes, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top. You can add a pinch of salt to each jar for flavor if desired.

Step 5: Add Liquid and Seal the Jars

• Fill the jars with boiling water, covering the potatoes completely while maintaining the inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles by gently tapping the jars or running a sterilized utensil around the edges. Wipe the jar rims clean, place the lids on top, and secure them with the bands. 

Step 6: Process the Jars

• If you plan to store the canned potatoes for long periods, it's best to use a pressure canner. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to process the jars at the appropriate pressure and time for your altitude. If you're using a water bath canner, ensure the jars are submerged in boiling water and process for the recommended time based on your location's altitude.

Step 7: Cool, Label, and Store

• Once the processing time is complete, carefully remove the jars from the canner using a jar lifter and place them on a clean towel or cooling rack. Allow the jars to cool completely. As they cool, you may hear the satisfying "pop" sound, indicating that the jars have properly sealed. Label the jars with the date and contents, and store them in a cool, dark place for future use.

Enjoying the Fruits of Our Labor

Thanks to our day of canning potatoes, my daughter now has a convenient and time-saving ingredient at her disposal.

 Whether she needs a quick side dish, a hearty potato soup, or a comforting mashed potato casserole, these canned potatoes will come to the rescue. The love and effort we put into canning those 50 pounds of potatoes will now be enjoyed by the entire family, making mealtime a breeze amidst the whirlwind of activities.

•  canning potatoes,

•  quick and easy meals, 

• single household income,

•  food bank/pantry