Enjoy Manitoba’s harvest all year long

Manitobans are spoiled for choice when it comes to fresh produce in summer and fall—and it’s easier than you think to extend that bounty into winter. Take a lesson from foodies and farmers by preserving your favourite seasonal fruits and vegetables.

To start, read up on safety measures and use the proper tools. Our basic method below should get you going, then search online for specific recipes to try.

1. Gather gear

Use vacuum-sealable glass mason jars with screw bands and rubber-lined metal lids. Inspect them thoroughly: Do not use jars with chips or cracks. Wash everything in hot soapy water and rinse well.

2. Sterilize jars

Immerse jars in a canner (a deep pot with a rack and lid) filled with enough warm water to cover jars by about an inch. Bring water to boil to sterilize jars for at least 15 minutes. Simmer bands and lids in separate pot until ready to use.

3. Ready your fruit

Prep ingredients based on your chosen recipe—peeling, slicing and/or pitting as necessary. (For jams, you’ll also have to cook down the fruit.) In most cases, you’ll then need to make a simple syrup of sugar dissolved in boiling water.

4. Fill ’em up

Use clean tongs to remove sterilized jars from water. Fill with your fruit (and simple syrup, if the recipe calls for it), leaving a quarter- to half-inch of space at the top the of jar.

5. Pop the bubbles

Remove air bubbles by sliding a plastic knife or rubber spatula between the jar wall and fruit. Wipe rim with a clean, damp cloth, then attach the lid and screw band. Don’t over-tighten; there should be a bit of give between the lid and jar.

6. Back to boil

Return jars to the canner rack and lower into existing water, adding more if needed, to fully submerge them. Boil gently according to your recipe’s processing time; remove jars and leave undisturbed for 24 hours.

7. Check the seal

After 24 hours, press on the centre of each lid. If properly sealed, lids will curve downward and not pop back. Remove screw bands; wash, dry and replace loosely on jars. If a jar has not sealed, refrigerate and consume contents within a month.