These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Start with the easiest way
You can ask"What food do you want to keep? Do you have a freezer, a stove, or a pressure canner?"
You can say"Freezing is the easiest and safest. Canning works too, but it must be done the tested way."
2Freeze it
Freezing at 0 F keeps food safe. Quality is best within about 8 to 12 months.
Roasted green chile freezes well. Freeze it in the skin in small bags; the skin slips off when it thaws.
Vegetables keep better if you blanch them first: boil 1 to 3 minutes, cool in ice water, drain, bag.
Squeeze air out of bags. Write the name and date on each one.
Cooked beans and rice freeze well in meal-size bags.
3Dry it
Chile, apples, herbs and tomato slices dry well with a dehydrator, a low oven, or strung as a ristra in a dry, airy spot.
Store dried food in sealed jars once it is crisp or leathery.
For jerky, USDA says to heat meat to 160 F (poultry 165 F) before or after drying. Drying alone does not kill germs.
4Can it safely (high altitude)
Only use tested recipes: the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, the National Center for Home Food Preservation (nchfp.uga.edu), NMSU Extension, or a current Ball Blue Book.
Fruit, jam, pickles and tomatoes with added lemon juice can go in a boiling water canner.
Beans, vegetables, green chile, meat and soup are low-acid. They MUST go in a pressure canner. A water bath is not safe for these.
Silver City is about 6,000 feet. Use the altitude chart in the recipe.
Water bath: most recipes add about 10 minutes at 3,001 to 6,000 feet, and more above 6,000 feet (Pinos Altos, the mountains).
Pressure canner, dial gauge: 13 pounds at 4,001 to 6,000 feet; 14 pounds at 6,001 to 8,000 feet. Weighted gauge: use 15 pounds above 1,000 feet.
Never can in the oven, use paraffin wax, skip processing, or make up your own recipe. Home-canned low-acid food done wrong can cause botulism, which can kill.
Throw away any jar that is bulging, leaking, spurting, moldy or smells bad. Do not taste it.
5Take a class or ask an expert
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service - Grant County
Cooperative Extension (nutrition, gardening, 4-H)
575-388-1559
2610 N Silver St, Silver City · Weekday business hours
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Community cooking and food preservation classes
575-388-2988
501 E 13th St, Silver City · Varies - see The Commons calendar
Growing food to put up? See the guide "Wants to grow vegetables to eat".
For recipes, see the guide "Recipes for garden vegetables: squash, chile, greens and tomatoes".
More help like this
Hungry today and needs food for the monthUse when someone is hungry now and also needs enough food for the rest of the month.Has special diet needs (diabetes, allergies, no teeth)Use when someone needs food that fits a health need: diabetes, food allergies, kidney or heart problems, soft food for missing teeth, or special baby formula.Someone is asking for money at your doorUse when a stranger knocks at your home or business asking for money, gas, food or a ride, and you want to stay safe, spot scams, and point them to real help.All food pantries in Grant County: places, days, times and what to bringUse when someone wants a list of every food pantry and free food distribution in Grant County, with where and when they are, who qualifies and what to bring.Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oilUse when someone wants to buy basic staples (beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt, oil) in bulk to save money and have food that lasts for months.Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)Use when someone gets SNAP and wants more fresh fruit and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks gives free extra money for New Mexico-grown produce at farmers markets.
See all guides in Food and basics →
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.