Canning potatoes in a way that preserves their texture and flavor can be tricky, especially for recipes like potato bake where the potatoes are typically cooked in a creamy sauce. Canning isn’t recommended for recipes like potato bake due to safety concerns. The low acidity of potatoes combined with the dense nature of a creamy sauce can create an environment conducive to harmful bacteria growth, even under pressure canning.
If you’re looking to preserve potatoes, consider methods like freezing or dehydrating instead. For freezing, you can blanch the potatoes first to preserve their quality. For dehydrating, slice the potatoes thinly and dry them until crisp. These methods will ensure your potatoes are safe to eat when preserved.
However, if you’re set on canning potatoes, you can can them plain (without the creamy sauce) in water or vegetable broth. Here’s a basic recipe for canning potatoes:
Canned Potatoes
Ingredients:
- Potatoes (any variety)
- Water or vegetable broth
- Salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Wash and peel the potatoes.
- Cut the potatoes into cubes or slices, whichever you prefer.
- Fill your canning jars with the potato pieces, leaving about 1 inch of headspace.
- If desired, add a pinch of salt to each jar.
- Fill the jars with either boiling water or vegetable broth, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
- Remove air bubbles by running a clean utensil around the inside of each jar.
- Wipe the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth to ensure they are free of any food particles.
- Place lids and bands on the jars, tightening the bands just until fingertip tight.
- Process the jars in a pressure canner according to your canner’s instructions. Process at the appropriate pressure and time for your altitude and jar size.
- Once processed, carefully remove the jars from the canner and let them cool. Check the seals after they’ve cooled completely to ensure they’re properly sealed.
- Store the canned potatoes in a cool, dark place and use them within a year for best quality.
Remember to always follow safe canning practices to ensure the preservation of your food.
