Canning sweet potatoes is a wonderful way to preserve the delicious flavor and vibrant color of this versatile root vegetable. While pressure canning is the safest method for preserving most vegetables, sweet potatoes can be successfully canned in a water bath canner. This method, however, requires a bit more attention to detail and careful adherence to safety guidelines. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on canning sweet potatoes without a pressure cooker, covering everything from choosing the right sweet potatoes to ensuring the safety and quality of your canned produce.
Choosing the Right Sweet Potatoes for Canning
The first step in canning sweet potatoes without a pressure cooker is selecting the right variety. Choose firm, blemish-free sweet potatoes with smooth skin. Avoid potatoes that are soft, bruised, or have signs of decay.
Sweet Potato Varieties for Canning
While any variety of sweet potato can be canned, certain types are particularly well-suited for this method. Here are some popular choices:
- Beauregard: This variety is known for its vibrant orange flesh, rich flavor, and good keeping quality.
- Covington: Another popular choice, Covington offers a sweet, moist texture and a bright orange color.
- Jewel: This variety is distinguished by its deep red skin and vibrant orange flesh, along with its sweet, slightly tangy flavor.
- Centennial: This variety is known for its smooth skin, bright orange flesh, and excellent canning qualities.
Preparing Sweet Potatoes for Canning
Once you have selected your sweet potatoes, wash them thoroughly and remove any remaining dirt or debris. For best results, peel the sweet potatoes before canning. While you can certainly can sweet potatoes with the skin on, peeling them allows for more even cooking and makes it easier to process the jars.
Canning Sweet Potatoes: Step-by-Step Guide
Canning sweet potatoes without a pressure cooker requires careful attention to safety and proper processing time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve delicious and safe results:
1. Gather Your Equipment:
- Canning Jars: Use clean, sterilized pint or quart jars with new lids and rings.
- Water Bath Canner: A water bath canner is essential for safely processing the sweet potatoes.
- Jar Lifter: A jar lifter is helpful for safely transferring hot jars to and from the canner.
- Wide-Mouth Funnel: A funnel makes filling jars easier and neater.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for successful canning.
- Ladle: A ladle helps transfer hot liquid into the jars.
- Pot Holder: A pot holder protects your hands from hot jars and equipment.
- Headspace Tool: This tool helps ensure the correct headspace in the jars.
- Rubber Spatula: A rubber spatula helps remove air bubbles from jars.
2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel and Cut: Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into uniform 1-inch pieces.
- Blanch: Blanching sweet potatoes before canning helps them retain their color and texture.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the cut sweet potatoes.
- Blanch for 3-5 minutes, then drain.
- Prepare the Syrup: You can use a light, medium, or heavy syrup for canning your sweet potatoes.
- Light Syrup: Combine 1 cup of sugar with 3 cups of water.
- Medium Syrup: Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar with 3 cups of water.
- Heavy Syrup: Combine 2 cups of sugar with 3 cups of water.
3. Pack the Jars:
- Fill the Jars: Pack the blanched sweet potato pieces into the clean, sterilized jars, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Add Syrup: Pour the prepared syrup over the sweet potatoes in each jar, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Remove Air Bubbles: Use a rubber spatula to remove any air bubbles from the jars.
- Wipe the Rims: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any syrup or debris.
4. Process the Jars:
- Fill the Canner: Place the filled jars in the water bath canner, ensuring the jars are fully submerged by at least 1-2 inches of water.
- Bring to a Boil: Bring the water in the canner to a rolling boil.
- Process the Jars: Process the jars for the recommended time based on your altitude.
- Altitude 0-1,000 feet: Process for 35 minutes for pint jars, 40 minutes for quart jars.
- Altitude 1,001-2,000 feet: Process for 40 minutes for pint jars, 45 minutes for quart jars.
- Altitude 2,001-3,000 feet: Process for 45 minutes for pint jars, 50 minutes for quart jars.
5. Cool and Store:
- Cool the Jars: After processing, carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a rack or towel to cool completely.
- Check the Seals: As the jars cool, you should hear a distinct "popping" sound as the lids seal.
- Store: Once the jars have cooled completely, check for proper sealing.
- If the lids are concave and the seal is secure, store your canned sweet potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place.
- If the lids are not concave or the seal is not secure, refrigerate the jars and use the contents within a week.
Tips and Tricks for Canning Sweet Potatoes Without a Pressure Cooker
- Use a Thermometer: To ensure proper processing, use a thermometer to monitor the water temperature in the canner.
- Adjust Processing Time: If you live at a higher altitude, adjust the processing time to compensate for the lower boiling point of water.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality sweet potatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- Can in Small Batches: Canning in smaller batches helps ensure that all the jars are properly processed.
How to Use Canned Sweet Potatoes
Canned sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are just a few ideas:
- Sweet Potato Pie: Canned sweet potatoes are a classic ingredient for sweet potato pie.
- Soups and Stews: Add them to soups and stews for a sweet, earthy flavor and a touch of creaminess.
- Salads: Use them in salads for a unique and satisfying crunch.
- Breakfast Dishes: Add them to breakfast dishes like oatmeal or yogurt for a nutritional boost.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Use canned sweet potatoes as a base for roasted sweet potato dishes.
Conclusion
Canning sweet potatoes without a pressure cooker allows you to enjoy the delicious flavor of this versatile root vegetable throughout the year. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a safe and delicious supply of canned sweet potatoes for your pantry. Remember to choose high-quality sweet potatoes, use proper canning equipment, and follow safe processing guidelines to ensure the safety and quality of your canned produce.
