Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension mid-way through Master Food Preserver Workshop Series

As more and more people look to find ways to increase their self-sufficiency, interest in home food preservation is on the rise.  At Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Master Food Preserver program is here to support and educate the public on the safety and methodology of preserving foods at home.  This group of dedicated volunteers has offered workshops to the public over the last three years, and they are currently mid-way through the 2018 Workshop Series. The remaining classes are: kimchi on May 5, freezing basics on June 23, salsa on August 18, pie filling on September 15, and pressure canning on October 27. Course fees vary depending on materials but range from $5 to $25 per class. Class size is limited, so all classes require pre-registration with payment to secure a spot.

The next class in the series will be a hands-on workshop teaching students how to make kimchi.

“Kimchi is kind of like Korean sauerkraut,” explained Katie Oakes, OCCCE horticulture educator and coordinator of the Master Food Preserver Program.  “It is a mix of vegetables and spices that naturally ferments over time. The result is a flavorful condiment, packed with vitamins and probiotics.”

The kimchi class is $25 and all participants will go home with a mason jar home fermentation kit.

The pressure canning workshop is also always popular, giving homeowners hands-on training and confidence in using this unnecessarily daunting kitchen tool. The pressure canning workshop focuses on food products that are low-acid and thus require higher temperatures and longer processing times, like meats and certain vegetables.

The workshops are held on Saturdays once a month until November with a break in July for the Orleans County 4-H Fair.  The November date will feature an end-of-season party with lunch made from products created at each workshop.

All classes are held in the Trolley Kitchen located on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411. Call 798-4265 for more details and to register.