National Can-it-Forward Day, 17 August 2013

Relegated for years into the ‘something only grandmothers do’ category of culinary skills, preserving or canning is back in vogue, big time.

Whether it has been driven by farmers markets and the increased awareness of the seasonality of foods, a reaction to isles and isles of over-processed packaged goods, or simply a longing for a simpler time, both home cooks and restaurant chefs alike are wholeheartedly embracing preserving.

Canning is an activity that can be done all year-round – take for example this brilliant Cointreau Spiked Tangelo Marmalade – but it is especially handy during the summer and early-autumn months when there is an abundance of fresh produce every way you look.

The third annual National Can-It-Forward Day will be held in New York City this coming Saturday, 17 August 2013.

An initiative of Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball® Brand home canning products, National Can-it-Forward Day teaches the joys of fresh preserving and celebrates fresh local ingredients.

This year sees award winning chef and celebrity personality Ted Allen joining the event.

“Fresh preserving is one of the summer’s hottest culinary trends with chefs from New York to Los Angeles canning their own pickles, jams, chutneys and more to enjoy and serve year- round,” said Allen, “I’m thrilled to be participating in National Can-It-Forward Day to show home cooks how easy it is to preserve your own foods to use in cooking and entertaining.”

There are plenty of ways you can take part

Featuring a day of instructional fresh preserving, entertaining and crafting demonstrations, National Can-it-Forward Day takes place in the New York City Union Square Green Market from 10am-2pm (EST) on Saturday 17 August.

Events from the day will be streamed via a free live webcast at FreshPreserving.com and Facebook.com/BallCanning. Viewers will be able to ask questions and post comments in real time to be answered by canning experts.
Hold a canning party at home – anywhere with a stovetop and a bit of counter space works perfectly. You could even celebrate with a lazy seasonal lunch feast after the work is done.
If you are in Manhattan that day make sure to stop by the markets to watch the demos in person!

On Twitter you can follow along with the hashtag #canitforward, recipes and craft ideas from the event webcast segments will be available on the Ball brand home canning Pinterest page.

We’ve started a group Canning & Preserving Pinboard too, if you’d like to join simply follow the board and include a link to your Pinterest profile in the comments!

Some Canning & Preserving resources we love

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving the experts at Ball have written a book destined to become the “bible” of home preserving.
Ball Jar Heritage Collection Pint Jars with Lids and Bands these gorgeous blue jars are available for a limited only – get your hands on them while you can! Even if you don’t preserve they’d look perfect filled with wild-flowers to dress up a Seasonal Sunday Lunch table.
Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round from blogger Marisa McClellan, stories of wild blackberry jam and California Meyer lemon marmalade add a personal touch to more than 100 recipes learned from generations of the original foodies.

Don’t miss our first ever giveaway of A Fresh Legacy’s Bottling the Goodness: Preserving from my Garden e-book, enter today and happy canning!