Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round

by Marisa McClellan

Marisa McClellan's first book for accessible home preserving for jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys, and more, as seen on her beloved food blog Food in Jars. Popular food blogger and doyenne of canning, Marisa McClellan, is using small batches and inventive flavors to make preserving easy enough for any novice to tackle. If you grew up eating home-preserved jams and pickles, or even if you're new to putting up, you'll find recipes to savor. Sample any of the 100 seasonal recipes:
In the spring: Apricot Jam and Rhubarb Syrup
In the summer: Blueberry Butter and Peach Salsa
In the fall: Dilly Beans and Spicy Pickled Cauliflower
In the winter: Three-Citrus Marmalade and Cranberry Ketchup
Marisa's confident, practical voice answers questions and quells any fears of accidental canning mistakes, and the book is written for cooks of any skill level. Stories of wild blackberry jam and California Meyer lemon marmalade from McClellan's childhood make for a read as pleasurable as it is delicious; her home-canned food-learned from generations of the original "foodies"-feeds the soul as well as the body.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, Reference, Food Preservation, Gardening

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2011

About the author

Marisa McClellan is a food blogger, freelance writer and canning teacher based in Center City Philadelphia. She runs a website called Food in Jars, where she writes about canning, preserving and delicious things made from scratch.

She writes for the Taproot Magazine and Edible Philly. She is the author of four cookbooks. They are Food in Jars, Preserving by the Pint, Naturally Sweet Food in Jars, and The Food in Jars Kitchen.

Reviews

[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library and it's so good that I want my own copy. I made her gingery pickled beets, blackberry sage jam and dilly beans. Everything I tried was really good.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Marisa McClellan wanted to consider another profession, I think she would take easily to perfumer. Her flavor combination ideas just in this book alone make me want to try every recipe and stock my pantry with little batches of goodness.

The recipes catching my eye the first time through:
-Vanilla-Rhubarb Jam with Earl Grey
-Chunky Fig Jam
-Apple Pumpkin Butter
-Orange Vanilla Curd

You get the idea. I've had some of these recipes marked for a year and finally had a chance to make the Vanilla-Rhubarb Jam, and instead of Earl Grey I used my Reading Envy tea which is part Earl Grey, part coconut. This is a lovely light but intricately flavored jam! I've been putting it on toast this week but will bring it to work in the form of oatmeal jam bars.



The recipes in this book include directions for small batch canning, but the recipes aren't in great quantities, so it is just as easy to consume what is made. The idea behind small-batch preserving is to eat some, save some. Many of the recipes could also be frozen. If canning intimidates you, you could either simply not do those steps or allow McClellan to instruct you in your first attempts.

She also has a fabulous blog, Food in Jars, with additional instructions (I went to it to find out how to substitute powdered pectin for liquid in the recipe I was trying, to great success.)

Just a personal note: Marisa McClellan is the sister of Raina Rose, a singer-songwriter from Portland who I first encountered on the streets of Memphis (during an art walk) and lives in Texas. It's a small world out there in internet land, and I had followed both before knowing they were connected.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

After returning home from a week at the lake, my wife and I suddenly found that our cucumber plant had produced 2 dozen cucumbers and had another 2 dozen about to ripen. At which point, we realized it was time to learn how to make pickles. This book was recommended to me by a friend who has been pickling for years, and its guidance is concise and easy to follow. My biggest concern with pickling is giving my friends and family botulism, so I was more than pleased that Marissa McClellan provides a simple yet robust system of sanitization for the jarring and canning process. As for the recipes, I have made a ton of pickles which ended up being a little too spicy for the kids, but I thought tasted great. It is also peach harvesting season in the Midwest, so I have made some bourbon peaches that are boozy and delicious. I’m sure that canning and jarring can get more complicated, but if you’re a novice like me, Food in Jars is the right speed.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered all the books from this author. I had originally got them from the library but after wanting so many of the recipes and the look of these beautiful books, I just had to order my own copies! I highly recommend! She has recipes for beginners and veterans of preserving. Beautiful beautiful books!

[Amy L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

More work than I'm willing to do.

[Heather WG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve tried three recipes already and can’t wait to try more. The combination of flavors are fantastic, and the recipes are easy to follow.

[Laura Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recipes for specialty products

[Juan José · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi obsesión estas vacaciones, a parte de no hacer un culo, fue hacer una cantidad obscena de conservas

[Cristy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Several issues with this one. The suggestion of bottled juices put me off right away. The ingredient lists and instructions do not always match. Finally, it is very basic and the recipes not very creative. Will stick to the resources I already own.

[Jeslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This summer I decided to learn canning, and have drawn on several books and the expertise of friends for coaching. Since I am single and live in a small apartment, I knew I wouldn't be canning 40 quarts of peaches on a Saturday; however, there are lots of small-batch canning cookbooks on the market so I forged ahead.

I'd heard about Food in Jars from several terrific cooking blogs, and I've really enjoyed this cookbook. I read it like a novel, rather than just skipping around from one recipe to another, and it ended up being the preferred method, since the author admittedly has several typos/oversights in the book (referencing methods or syrups on page "000", for instance) - these were VERY minor, and I simply corrected as I went along.

My goal in learning to can wasn't to simply master jams, but to put up fruit, etc. from our local farm markets; however, as I read through these recipes and the author's recommendations on incorporating the jams, preserves, etc. into meals, I will definitely be making more of these than I would have expected.

The content is excellent, great photography, instructions are helpful and not confusing - highly recommend as a wonderful cookbook to supplement the basics from Ball. I can only hope that the strengths of this cookbook will be confirmed when I open the jars this winter...!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has some good recipes and some good information about home canning. I like that the recipes are designed to make three or four jars of each thing rather than ten or twelve. I also like that some of the recipes are for things that aren't really canned (e.g., apple pumpkin butter, which doesn't work for home canning, but she reports keeps well in the freezer).

I made the spiced applesauce already and am planning to turn part of the applesauce into apple pumpkin butter. Yum!

I'm looking forward to summer when whe have more fruit and vegetables fresh and ready for preserving. I had wanted to can some tomatoes this year, but was too nervous about the safety issues, but I'm hoping that trying some of the small batch recipes here will give me confidence by summer.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kicked my ongoing obsession with canning into high gear this summer - nearly every weekend (and sometimes after work), I'd be in the kitchen putting a bunch of something into jars. Marisa McClellan's lovely little book gave me some terrific recipes and new information, which surprised me, since I've been canning for a few decades now. Friends that are new to canning found it clear and easy to follow, too, so it's very accessible.

The book is a great companion to her blog of the same name (which is how I found it in the first place), and I just could not recommend this more highly.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding cookbook. McClellan's blog of the same name is wonderful, and many of the recipes here are from the blog. Her emphasis on small -batch canning makes this a great starter canning book, and the range of the recipes makes it a great advanced canning book. I expected to enjoy the recipes, and I do. But I was surprised by the physical beauty of the book. It is gorgeously photographed and very well designed. An excellent addition to the kitchen.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

full disclosure, Marisa is a friend. Before she was a friend, however, she was who I turned to for canning advice. She is still who I turn to for canning advice. I have a copy of this book and bought a copy for my SIL when she expressed interest in canning after helping me with a batch of salsa.

Marisa's science is good, her ideas and flavor combinations are fresh, and she gives lots of good ideas for using your preserved pantry once you have it.

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Food In Jars Preserving In Small Batches Year Round (Marisa McClellan)

I don't know what I was hoping for...perhaps a totally new idea....it was the year round that piqued my interest and it was internet order...so I didn't look at the book first.
Lots of jam and butter combos that I would not have thought to put together...
Basic preserving talk.....
Things like peaches in bourbon..(I prefer mine plain), granola, pancake mix etc
I'll reserve judgment until I peruse further.

[SheReaders Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, above all is beautiful! The color for the beet page was just right. I'm definitely going to try making the cantaloupe jam, the slow cooker pear butter, the zesty lime curd, and the maple almond butter. I devoured my library copy in one sitting but would love to own a copy of this forever.

[Ryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiration.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

And now my shelves are bursting with mason jars as well as books. Satisfying both body and soul here.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I’m going to rate this book 3 stars.

I’m new to canning and I ordered several books and hopes of finding a variety of tested recipes that I could use to preserve what I grow. Of those books, I like the feel and design of this book the most. The recipes and pictures look quite appealing, Though I think I ordered the book prematurely.

I wish I had looked more closely at the table of contents when I purchased this. The first hundred pages or so are comprised of jams, jellies, marmalades, and fruit butters… most of which I will never make, because I try to limit my sugar consumption and I can’t eat gluten. The final 50 pages are comprised of syrups, whole fruit, granola, nut butters, and other pantry staples that can be made, and put in jars. Again, most of which I will never make. I just don’t eat them.

In the end, there are 46 pages of pickles, salsas, and relishes, and tomatoes from which I might use a few recipes.

I noted a few recipes that I think I will try this summer, and I’ll be donating this book to the library in hopes, someone else can appreciate more of the tasty sounding recipes.

[Rachel Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

YUM! This cookbook is GREAT! I began canning at the end of last year and have enjoyed making small batches of jalapeños, apple butter and pickled onions. I made strawberry jam last month with local honey that turned out AMAZING. I decided to pick this book up as I was passing in the library. It has a very good introductory section on canning techniques and procedures. This section will be wonderful for someone who will want to learn HOW to can. The rest of the book is broken into sections for recipes. Jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys, pickled items. These recipes will give you a solid basic foundation in canning. I would definitely buy this book for someone who was interested in starting their own canning pantry, maybe even a gift for a bride that loves to cook.

[Noah Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for beginning canners. Almost all the recipes are geared for the hot-water bath method, meaning no pressure canner is necessary. Even better, these are all recipes for small batches of just a few jars--especially helpful when you want to just try out a new recipe first.

There are also plenty of pictures full color pictures throughout of the finished product. There are also a set of clear instructions in the beginning on how to can with the hot-water bath method with pictures showing every required step.

Only reason for the 4 stars was a lack of variety in salsa recipients. I love salsas and that's what I was looking for.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom canned fruit in a pressure cooker, which I've never been willing to invest in. My husband has canned applesauce, salsa, and pickles in a water bath, but I've been nervous about that method because botulism was right up there with quicksand and the Bermuda Triangle in terms of things we were worried about in my childhood. But with a burgeoning garden, I decided to give it a try, and this library book has walked me through pickled onions and an apricot lime jam. They both taste great, and I felt confident (if slow) in the directions given.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how to rate this. I love Marisa McClellan's website, so I picked up this book when I saw it in the library. It's well-laid out, easy to read...all great McClellan stuff. But I did find the website easier to use, because I could run a search for recipes, and there are more recipes there. So, if you're interested in canning, absolutely go read her stuff. But I'd probably direct people to the website first, just because there's SO MUCH there.

[Gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

She knows her stuff and you can tell. Great recipes. Haven’t found one I didn’t like! Best pickled jalapeños ever made!!!
I gave it 4 stars because all ingredients were not listed on the list of ingredients. Like water, she never lists it. I made the pickled jalapeños several times and forgot to add the water because it was not on the list... but it was a great book! So if I could have, I would have given it a 4.5.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed this book through the library's Libby app. I'm a full-blown canner and have been since I got married 26 years ago. So, this is not a new thing for me or jumping on the "trad wife" bandwagon.

I thought some of the different flavor combos for jams and chutneys were interesting, but the rest of the book was pretty basic. I do like that most of the recipes create smaller batches so you don't have a huge amount of something you may not like the taste of.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like this book but would suggest that the author utilize an editor. After making a few recipes I noticed a trend in her book. She lists ingredients but then does not include them in the recipe method. Sometimes it's key ingredients, like what to do with the 6 tbsps of citric acid!

Otherwise I like the variety of recipes and I do like the small batches.

[Katy Emanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a go to canning book in our home. It is great the size of the batches, especially if items are picked out at the farmer's market in season and we just don't have time to eat everything. My kids love picking recipes from this book and each one we have tried has been a hit. The batch sizes are great for making gifts for others.

[Bunny Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned to preserve food in the 1970s. I thought of it as a drudgery that had to be completed, like visiting the dentist. Ms McClellan presents a new, fresh take on making preserves. I bought her other books as well. And I now have a row of jam in jars, made with pleasure by me.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information on canning. Great recipes. I can't wait to try the Apple Cranberry Jam and Apple Pumpkin Butter recipes when my apple tree is ready for picking. My favorite time of year.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh, modern, inspiring. This will hold a valuable spot on my reference shelf.