Canning Sweet Potatoes is one of the easiest things you can do if you want to save some money and always have a fantastic side dish ready in your pantry. Making canned sweet potatoes will ensure that your family eats fresh veggies all year round. This canning process is not hard, but it does require a bit of patience and time.
There are several options available for you when you are making canned sweet potatoes. You can make canned sweet potato in plain water, simple syrup, or even use maple syrup or honey for canning. Below, we have a very detailed article that will help you understand the canning process and also shares some tips to make it even more simple. Let’s get canning!
There are two varieties of sweet potatoes that you usually find in the market. The white sweet potatoes and the orange. When canning, you can choose either variety as per your preference. However, it may be a point to note that white sweet potatoes are slightly more crumbly and slightly less sweet than orange ones. When buying either variety of sweet potatoes, look for those that fit the criteria below:
If you have the sweet potatoes already bought and are not planning on using them, immediately store them in a cool and well-ventilated area away from sunlight and moisture.
When canning potatoes, you have a choice of either canning them in plain water or canning them in a simple syrup for added sweetness.
Place a kettle of water on the stove and let it come to a boil for the plain canning liquid.
You can experiment with different variations for a sweet canning liquid. However, here we have a very light syrup that you can use to add just a touch of sweetness to your canned sweet potatoes.
The following tables shows you the canning time as recommended by the National Center for Home Food Preservation
Once your canned sweet potatoes have cooled down, and they are ready for storage. Label and date your jars with the canning date. You can store these cans in your pantry in a dark and dry area. When picking a jar of canned sweet potatoes to use, always inspect them beforehand to make sure they are still properly sealed.
In case the seal has broken, discard the jar. Also, check for any mold growth in the jars. Once a can of sweet potatoes has been opened, refrigerate it to maximize its shelf life.
No! All low acid food must be canned in a pressure canner and never in a water canner. This is because a water bath canner simply does not have the ability to reach the temperature that a pressure canner does. It is the acidity present in the food and the temperature reached during the canning process that helps preserve the food. In the case of low acid food such as sweet potatoes, this is simply not possible. Canning using a water bath method can cause botulism which is why it is best to avoid it.
Unopened cans of sweet potato can last in your pantry for three and maybe even five years. Just store them in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once you open a can, make sure to use it completely or else store it in the refrigerator. Opened cans of sweet potato will last in the refrigerator for 4 – 5 days.
Canned produce lasts really well in storage if stored properly. If you have followed the canning instructions and stored the canning jars properly, you will ideally not face any issues. However, canned sweet potatoes that have gone bad can be recognized very easily based on their appearance and smell. If the potatoes give a sour smell or look like they have developed mold, they have gone bad, and it is time to discard them. It is always important to label and date your produce so that you can consume them while they are still safe to do so.
A jar that has been sealed properly will not spring up when you press it. With your finger, gently press the lid in the center when it has cooled completely. If there is no give, you are good to go. However, if the lid springs up, you need to process the jar again because it has not been sealed correctly.
So there you have it, a detailed guide that explains everything you need to know about canned sweet potatoes! You can use these canned sweet potatoes in soups, stews, casseroles, and many other dishes! They will help you cut down your recipe time since they are already cooked and come in handy, especially during holiday meals! Be sure to give this canning recipe a try, and you will not be disappointed! You can also check our complete guide on canning food here.
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
Read More