Canned pineapple is great to have around the kitchen. It is far more delicious than canned fruits or vegetables of other types. Canning pineapples is easy enough for anyone to do, though some may need guidance at first. Canning pineapple at home can save you some money and allow you to store the fruit for use when it would not otherwise be available.
Most canned pineapples bought from the store are overly sweet and loaded with preservatives. Canning pineapple at home allows you to control what ingredients you add and gives you peace of mind because you know exactly how the pineapples were prepared. Canning pineapples can seem a little intimidating for most people, but worry not! This blog post will guide you step-by-step, and you will be an expert in pineapple canning in no time!
When you plan to buy produce for preservation purposes, the very first important step is buying the right product. The same is true when you are buying pineapples for canning. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice the next time you are at the grocery store.
Fresh pineapple is quite perishable and will last on the counter for maybe 3 – 5 days once it is ripe. If you are not using the pineapple immediately, you may be able to extend its life for a couple of more days by storing it in the refrigerator in a perforated bag.
If you want to make this process of cutting pineapples even simpler, simply use a pineapple corer.
You will need an average of 21 pounds of pineapples to prepare a 7 quart batch of canned pineapples. You can cut the pineapples into as large or as small pieces as you want for canning them.
The canning recipe below yields 7 quarts or 14 pints of canned pineapple, so you will need 7 quart-sized jars or 14 pint-sized ones. Make sure you use heavy-duty canning jars that can withstand the canning process. Get the canning jars, rings, and lids ready by washing them with hot soapy water. Sterilize the lids in hot water for 3 – 5 minutes and leave them in the water until you are ready to use them. Keep the jars warm until you are ready to fill them.
When canning pineapples, you have a choice to either can it using plain water or using a syrup. Depending on the sweetness of the pineapples you are using, you can decide which canning liquid to use. For a plain canning liquid, place a kettle of water on the stove and let it come to a boil. For a sweet canning liquid, a light syrup serves well. Combine 9 cups of water with 2¼ cup of sugar to make the light syrup. Let the syrup come up to boil on the stove so that the sugar is well combined. Keep the syrup warm until you are ready to use it.
Pineapples can be canned using a hot or cold pack. Most canning recipes use a cold pack where the pineapple pieces are added to the canning jars directly, and the canning liquid is poured over them. In our canning recipe, we will be using a hot pack where we cook the pineapples in a sweet canning liquid to absorb the flavor well before transferring them to canning jars and processing.
Canned pineapple can last 18-24 months in your pantry when canned and stored correctly. Once opened, store the jar in the refrigerator and use it within a week. Ensure you keep the jars in a cool corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and any dampness. Also, make sure you don’t stack your canned jars too high, a maximum of two layers. Check on your canned produce periodically to ensure they are still sealed properly, and there are no traces of mold or spoilage. If any seals have broken, it is best to discard the jar as you don’t know how long it has been unsealed.
You can perform a simple tapping test to check the seal on your canned jars. Use a spoon to knock the lid gently. If the lid does not react to you knocking on it, the seal is good, and you can store the canning jar. However, if the lid on the jar springs up, it has not been sealed properly. In such cases, store the canning jar in your refrigerator and try to use the pineapple within a week. Do not test the seal while the jars are still hot. Wait for the jars to cool down completely before you test their seals.
Canned pineapple has a wonderful sweet and tangy taste that works in everything from appetizers to desserts. You can incorporate your canned pineapples in several dishes, including salads, cakes, and if you are a fan of pineapple on your pizza, that too! Be as creative as you like, and you will have several ways to use your canned pineapples.
While canning does reduce some of the minerals and vitamins that you would find in fresh pineapple, it does not eliminate them completely. Store brought canned pineapple is high in sugar and calories, which is where home canning pineapple comes in handly. By canning pineapple at home, you can control the additional sugar content in the pineapples, making them much healthier to consume.
Canned pineapples are a great way to preserve this delicious fruit for use when they are not in season. Canning pineapples at home ensures that the preserved food is free from any additional preservatives making them safer to consume. The canning process is super simple, and you can customize the process as per your preference. Give this canning recipe a try, and we are sure you will be preserving pineapples for your family for a long time to come! If you liked this canning guide, you might also enjoy some of our other guides here.
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