Preserving The Harvest: Pressure-Canning Corn

by Texas Homesteader~ 
* contains affiliate link

I recently received quite a few ears of sweet corn but it was WAY more than we could eat fresh.   I wanted to preserve it so none would be wasted.

Our freezer is already pretty full so I was only able to toss in a couple of the whole ears for freezing, and then I went to researching pressure-canning options.

I was able to can the corn in little time. And since I was using my reusable canning lids I also created no waste. 

The cobs went to the hog traps, the shucks went to the goats and the sweet corn goodness goes to us!

Preserving that corn by pressure canning means we'll be enjoying the sweet taste of summer even during the cold months of winter! #TexasHomesteader

(Note: Some links in this post are for further information from earlier posts I’ve written. But links preceded with * are affiliate links. If you click them and buy something (almost anything, not just the item noted) I could receive a small purchase. But the price you pay will NOT change. It’s an easy way to support this blog without anything coming out of your pocket. So click often! Thank you!)

Gathering The Materials

I started by preparing all of my materials in advance. The pint canning jars are washed and I checked for any nicks around the rims. Then the clean jars were placed in a 200-degree oven to keep them warm.

The Tattler lids & rubber gaskets are washed & dropped in scalding water (NOT boiling). You’re just trying to soften those gaskets for a great seal.

I just love these tattler lids since I bought them years ago. There’s  no waste! I always hated buying the flat canning lids over & over again – they’re single use.

But not so with these *Tattler Lids. You reuse the lids and rubber rings over & over again. Now THAT speaks to my crunchy green heart, y’all!

Tattler Lid Instructions:

For those whom are considering Tattler lids, keep in mind they’re super simple to use, but there’s a teensy difference in how you attach them.

Per the Tattler website:

TATTLER REUSABLE CANNING LID USAGE

Tattler Lids do require a bit of variation from conventional metal lids. Being a two piece combination with a rubber gasket ring, Tattler Lids must remain a bit loose during processing in order for the jar to vent the pressure that has built in the jar during processing. An online customer gave us a very good tip on how tight is ‘Just Right’. To get the feel for the correct tightness prior to processing, place the jar on a counter top or other smooth surface, then place your index finger on the lid (do not apply too much pressure while tightening the metal band). Screw the metal band on until the jar begins to spin on the counter top (or other smooth surface). This is the perfect tightness for processing!

THE FOLLOWING FINAL STEP IS CRUCIAL TO ENSURE A GOOD SEAL:

Once the process is completed and the jars are removed from your canner, Let the bubbling die down (approximately 4-5 minutes), as this is pressure still releasing from the jars. Place a towel over the still hot jars (for safety) and finish tightening the metal bands. Now, let your jars cool naturally and when cool to room temperature, remove the metal band and lift the jar slightly by the lid. It should be well sealed. Your food is ready for storing (store without metal screw bands).

Preparing The Canner

And the pressure canner is washed and loaded with 3 quarts of water & placed on the stove to begin heating.

A large stockpot to hold the corn was brought out & and a pan of water was put on to boil in case more liquid was needed when filling the jars. 

I also bring out my stainless steel strainer spoon, jar lifter, funnel & oven mitts. Now I’m finally ready to start preparing the corn.

Trick For Removing Corn From Cob

I begin by removing the husks & silks from the ears and stacking the cleaned corn to the side.  When all husks are removed I begin to remove the kernels from the cob. 

An easy way to do this is to use a bunt pan:  Place the pointed end of the corn cob into the hole in the middle of your bundt pan and cut the kernels about 2/3 of their depth downward along the length of the corn. The corn falls into the bunt pan and your mess is minimized.

An easy trick to removing corn from the cob. Preserving that corn by pressure canning means we'll be enjoying the sweet taste of summer even during the cold months of winter! #TexasHomesteaderClever huh?? Wish I could say I thought of it myself but I learned about that waaaaaaay back when my grandmother was canning corn from her garden!

Anyway, after the corn is removed from the cob I measure to see how much corn I have harvested and add about 1-1/2 cup water per 5-cups of corn and pour it all into my big stock pot. Over medium heat I allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.

Jars Into The Pressure Canner

When the simmering time is up I use my strainer ladle to place the corn into my hot canning jars, being sure to leave 1″ headspace.

Then I add water to that 1″ headspace mark & stir the corn with a plastic handle to release any trapped air bubbles. (corn swells up at canning so leaving 1″ headspace is important).

I wiped the rim of each jar to make sure no food particles were present. Then I placed the Tattler lid with rubber seal in place on top of the jar, using the screw band to finger tighten. Not too tight, you want pressure to be released as it’s canning.

The filled pint jars were put into my canner, and I placed the lid on the canner, locking it down.  The weight isn’t yet on the vent as it needs to steam for 10 minutes first. 

After that time is up I place the weight at 10 lbs pressure on the vent and wait for the pressure to build up enough to make the weight jiggle gently, then I start timing.

When the canner has worked for 55 minutes I turn off the heat and allow the pressure to gradually reduce on it’s own (about 20-30 minutes). 

When no pressure is heard when the weight is wiggled, it was finally safe to open the canner – always with the lid facing away from you to avoid steam burns.

With my jar-lifters I remove each jar & place them on a tea towel to cool (do not touch the lids or rings yet for regular lids, but go ahead & finish tightening the Tattler lids if you’ve used them.) 

I allowed the jars to cool overnight and in the morning I removed the rings & tested for a proper seal by trying to gently lift the tattler lids.  Success – they all sealed!

Now I must note here that I’m sharing how I canned my corn and it worked great – but different canners require different procedures and even your area above sea level affect what weight you should use.  For your specific circumstances be sure to consult your canner’s manual and be sure you read the  USDA’s recommendations on safe canning and follow their directions closely – food safety is important!

~TxH~

Other Canning Posts

…And Many More

See ALL Our Food Preservation Posts

 

C’mon by & sit a spell!  Come hang out at our Facebook Page. It’s like sitting in a front porch rocker with a glass of cold iced tea – lots of good folks sharing!  You can also follow along on Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

If you’d like to receive an email each time a new blog post goes live it’s EASY to
Subscribe to our blog!

* A word about our Affiliate Link – We are currently enrolled as an Amazon Affiliate.  Occasionally I will insert an affiliate link into one of my posts if I think it may be of interest to you.  I  receive nothing from the manufacturer, but I love my Tattler lids & thought you might too. If you click on any of my affiliate links and buy something (almost anything, not just what was linked) I get a small referral percentage from Amazon.  But here’s the really important part – the price you pay for your items is UNCHANGED.

When you buy something through the affiliate link it’s a great way to support this blog without anything coming out of your pocket so please click often!

 

Save

3 thoughts on “Preserving The Harvest: Pressure-Canning Corn

  1. Cynthia L.

    I have two pressure canners, but have to admit I am scared to use them! They were passed on to me from my father. I will have to get over m y fears and use them!

    Thanks so much for sharing this great post at the Living Big on Less Money! You know I love it when you share – I also love seeing your baby cows!

    Reply
  2. ANGIE

    I miss gardening and being able to can my goods. I plan on doing this again next year

    Reply
  3. Natalie

    I have heard of the tattler lids once or twice before. I didn’t know they could be used in a pressure canner – so that’s good to know since I have just started pressure canning. I like the idea of them (a lot) but I wonder how long they actually last. It seems like a big investment to buy enough for all of my jars. I guess I could just start with a box at a time if I can find them locally (rather than paying for shipping each time). Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

* Please enter the Biggest Number

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.