A Step-By-Step Guide to Canning Oranges for Long term storage for your prepper pantry.
Canning is a wonderful method for preserving the flavors and freshness of fruits, and oranges are no exception. With their vibrant colour or and tangy taste, canned oranges can brighten up your cooking adventures all year-round. You may wonder, why would you can oranges? Well, like with any canning fruits and vegetables, it is important to have shelf stable options, incase fresh options are not available. Though you cannot compare the taste to fresh, they go well into a nice trifle.
Supplies You'll Need
Before you embark on your canning journey, gather the necessary supplies. Decide on the size of the jars you want to use, i used 1lt jars.
Steps to Can Oranges
1. **Wash and Sterilize**: Thoroughly wash the canning jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. Sterilise them by boiling for 10 minutes and let them cool as we are doing a cold pack method in this scenario.
2. **Prepare the Oranges**: Wash the fresh oranges and peel them, i used a knife to peel them as i wanted to remove as much of the white pith as possible and my oranges were super juicy so peeling them by hand would have been rather hard. Cut the oranges into your desired shape, whether slices or segments, I've gone with segments.
3. **Prepare Syrup (Optional)**: If you'd like to can the oranges in syrup, create a sugar-water solution. The sugar-to-water ratio depends on your preference for sweetness.I used medium syrup which requires 1 to 1 proportion of water to sugar.
4. **Pack the Jars**: Fill the sterilized jars with the prepared orange slices, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. If you're using syrup, pour it over the oranges, maintaining the same headspace. Ive also added 2 table spoons of lemon juice per jar ,for extra acidity.
5. **Remove Air Bubbles**: Eliminate air bubbles by gently pressing down on the oranges within the jar, using a non-metallic utensil.
6. **Seal the Jars**: Wipe the jar rims to ensure they are clean and place a sterilized lid on each jar. Secure the bands until they are fingertip-tight, but avoid over-tightening.
7. **Process in a Water Bath**: Place the filled jars into a water bath canner, ensuring they are covered with water by at least an inch. Bring the water to a boil and then process for the recommended time for your elevation, typically 10-15 minutes.
8. **Cool and Store**: After processing, carefully remove the jars and allow them to cool on a clean towel or rack. As they cool, listen for the satisfying "pop" of the lids, indicating a proper seal. Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place, and label them with the date for reference. If your orange segments have risen to the top, thats ok, as long as your jars are sealed you are good to go!
Conclusion
Canning oranges is a delightful way to preserve the essence of this sunny fruit. With the right equipment and a little know-how, you can savor the taste of oranges throughout the year. Be sure to follow reputable canning recipes and adhere to safety guidelines to ensure the long-lasting freshness of your canned oranges. Happy canning!
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