You can find recipes all over the internet for just about anything, but it’s never a good idea to proceed without checking a known, reliable source. There are some foods that can be safely canned commercially using additives, preservatives and processing controls that aren’t available for home recipes. (To avoid the additives and preservatives in those foods, it’s best to either make them at home for fresh, immediate use, or in other cases, freeze to store.) Things you shouldn’t can at home include:
1. Bread or cake in a jar.
2. Herbs or vegetables in oil or oil infusions.
3. Chocolate/fudge sauces.
4. Pumpkin butter.
For more information about safe canning, check out the FAQs at the National Center for Home Preservation. Another handy source of reliable information is the BBB!
It’s a Ball Blue Book Project day! Today’s Ball Blue Book is sponsored by Billie from No Crack Cream. Visit her here.
For a chance to win: Leave a comment on this post and let me know you want it. You can just put (BBB) at the end of your comment or otherwise note that you want to be in the draw. One winner will be drawn by random comment number to receive a Ball Blue Book. Eligible entry cut-off is midnight Eastern (U.S.) time tonight (February 10). This post will be updated with the winner by 9 a.m. Eastern (U.S.) time tomorrow (February 11). Return to this post to claim your book if your name is drawn (or check the BBB Winners List).
Find out more about the Ball Blue Book Project and become a sponsor.
UPDATE 02/11/11: The winning comment number, drawn by random.org, is #91, sal. Email me at CITRgiveaways(at)yahoo.com with your full name and address for shipping!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO ENTRY.
Richelle says:
Yes, BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 5:02 am
zeitgewandt says:
BBB, please! 8)
On February 10, 2011 at 5:31 am
Kathy in FL says:
BBB, please.
On February 10, 2011 at 5:41 am
PossumManor says:
I would love to win. BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 5:51 am
Jean - MN says:
BBB please – Thank you
On February 10, 2011 at 5:52 am
Howard says:
BBB, please
On February 10, 2011 at 6:41 am
Jeanne says:
BBB!! : )
On February 10, 2011 at 6:52 am
Mary Hall says:
Good mornin’ all…Well I am waiting for spring still (hope that groundhog was right) anyhoo, please enter me in the BBB :heart:
Thanks,
Mary :shocked:
On February 10, 2011 at 6:58 am
GaPeach says:
BBB, please!!
On February 10, 2011 at 7:01 am
lavenderblue says:
I’m amazed at the list above. I have questions. Lots of questions. Why not pumpkin butter? Why can you can apple butter? So I’ll still have to pay gazillions of $$$ for fancy little jars of sun-dried tomatoes in oil? Was one of my husbands co-workers secretly trying to kill us when she gave us homemade fudge sauce for Christmas? Did she can it or did she just put in jars without processing? She did say to refrigerate it; we ate it, we’re still alive. Who’d want to can bread? Inquiring minds want to know.
Guess I’d better have a BBB so I can find the answers. Thanks.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:05 am
Connie says:
I’d love to win it.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:08 am
Connie says:
BBB Please!
On February 10, 2011 at 7:13 am
Debbie says:
would love to win a BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 7:13 am
Peggy says:
I don’t need to worry about canning any of the items on the list. I would not use enough of any of those items to can them. Some items, like tomatoes I used to can by the hot water bath, but now I pressure can then. Why? The acid content in tomatoes is lower then it was when I first started canning. I wonder if anything else has changed? Maybe I need a new BBB………please.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:16 am
Anke says:
BBB, pretty please.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:17 am
Gem says:
I NEEEEED one of these BBB’s!!! (please)
On February 10, 2011 at 7:29 am
jim says:
BBB Please
On February 10, 2011 at 7:30 am
sam says:
BBB please.
sam
On February 10, 2011 at 7:36 am
Sandy says:
But I thought you COULD can pumpkin butter! Hmmmmmm BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 7:39 am
justdeborah2002 says:
I thought you could BWB pumpkin butter as well….guess I really am desperate for a BBB.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:50 am
Melissa (N4M) says:
BBB pretty plz
On February 10, 2011 at 7:55 am
Betsy says:
Would love the BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 7:56 am
annabel52 says:
Today is my lucky day, maybe.
I need a BBB…
On February 10, 2011 at 7:57 am
Valerie says:
I read where lemon curd can’t be canned, yet I did see a recipe online that it can be. Anyone know? No BBB for me, DH bought one for me and it’s wonderful.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:58 am
Brittany P. says:
I would love to win the ball blue book! Please enter me in. I have heard that you can’t can apple butter but I saw someone do it recently….I forget where it was. HMMMM.
:happyflower:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:04 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, you can can apple butter. NOT pumpkin butter!
The link above in the post will explain why you should not can cake in a jar or bread in a jar, and herbs/vegetables in oil. You can also find more detail here:
https://www.pickyourown.org//canningqa.htm
On February 10, 2011 at 8:42 am
Brittany P. says:
I meant pumpkin butter!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:05 am
lilac wolf says:
Oh I’m glad you posted this one. I had thought about doing the oil infusions for x-mas gifts. Hmmmm, maybe I’ll try my hand at jelly this year if I ever win this book! 😉
BBB please. :fairy:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:07 am
dalewestfallsgranddaughter says:
I have a recipe out of a Walton WV cookbook for apple cake in a jar that I make regularly and haven’t died yet. Maybe because it gets eaten before it stays in the jar very long?
On February 10, 2011 at 8:11 am
Glenie says:
I would love BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:11 am
Bonnie says:
What, no pumkin butter? How do you preserve it then? BBB, please!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:19 am
Renee says:
This inquiring little mind wants to learn more with a BBB! :fairy:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:22 am
langela says:
Sounds like you’re gonna have some “‘splainin'” to do, Suzanne. I also would love to know why these things shouldn’t be canned. BBB, please.
On February 10, 2011 at 8:24 am
Ladychef says:
BBB Thanks Billie and Suzanne! Seems like I have a LOT to learn about canning.
On February 10, 2011 at 8:26 am
Sarah says:
BBB please.
On February 10, 2011 at 8:28 am
Amy I. says:
BBB please! I’m ready to start.
On February 10, 2011 at 8:36 am
Brigitte says:
I’d love the BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:41 am
windspiritwhimsies says:
See,I learn something new everyday here. That’s why I always come back! Would love to try canning. BBB,please! :happyfeet:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:46 am
Heidi says:
BBB, Please!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:51 am
Kelly F. says:
BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:53 am
Marjorie Wolson says:
So, strawberry/peach butter is alright to can? Yay! I need a Blue Ball book. :hungry:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:54 am
brookdale says:
BBB please! And thank you, Billie and Suzanne, for sponsoring this giveaway.
On February 10, 2011 at 8:54 am
Tina says:
What?! Pumpkin butter can’t be canned? Oh dear, I’ve seen it for sale at the farmer’s market here….wonder what’s going on there! I’ve been canning for years without the benefit of a BBB. I think it’s High Time I got one!
Pleeeeeeze! 😀
On February 10, 2011 at 8:55 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, you will see canned pumpkin butter at community bazaars all the time. Don’t buy it!! See why here:
https://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/pumpkinprecautions.php
On February 10, 2011 at 9:10 am
patrice says:
BBB-Yes!!! :woof:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:57 am
Phyllis says:
NO PUMPKIN BUTTER?????? If I had a BBB I probably would’ve known that, lol…BBB PLEASE :yes:
On February 10, 2011 at 8:59 am
Patricialynn says:
BBB please! Could really use this book to help with the produce I plan to grow this summer!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:02 am
Bethany James says:
Isn’t it amazing the amount of push back you get when you try to tell people not to can pureed pumpkin? Or those cakes in a jar? Or not to water bath green beans? Or turn jars over? Why to people insist on arguing about these things? 🙂
On February 10, 2011 at 9:05 am
Diana says:
My grad student daughter turned me on to your site. Bbb please!!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:08 am
Jill from Spencer says:
we recently canned 100 lbs of sausage! it is great and relatively easy to do! also did venison this year!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:08 am
Lacey says:
I’m with everybody else- lots of questions. But mostly I just want pumpkin butter now. BBB please.
On February 10, 2011 at 9:14 am
viggie says:
Thank you! I see people suggesting canning crazy stuff all the time! BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 9:16 am
Rachel says:
BBB Please!!! I was planning to expand my canning world this year, and it’d be nice to have on had the book that will be able tot ell me what I can-can and can’t-can 🙂
On February 10, 2011 at 9:17 am
Teri says:
BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:19 am
Deb Klenke says:
I would be so grateful for BBB.
On February 10, 2011 at 9:23 am
Window On The Prairie says:
BBB Please. I have an older one, but wouldn’t mind having a new book. Thanks Suzanne
Suzanne
On February 10, 2011 at 9:24 am
LeAnn says:
I’ve never made pumpkin butter, but I too, was surprised to learn that you shouldn’t can it. Interesting…
BBB please.
On February 10, 2011 at 9:24 am
iowacowgirl says:
BBB for meeeee
On February 10, 2011 at 9:25 am
Amanda aka Salamander says:
BBB Please
On February 10, 2011 at 9:25 am
Rockyshore says:
Let’s try this again, please.
On February 10, 2011 at 9:29 am
Angie says:
The pumpkin butter recommendation was started after someone wrote a paper which made it suspect with no real proof as to what could potentially happen. https://homesteadgardenandpantry.com/canning/pumpkin-butter-2/
On February 10, 2011 at 9:31 am
TeresaJM says:
BBB please
On February 10, 2011 at 9:32 am
Lynette says:
I would love me a BBB ~ thanks for the chance to win! 😀
On February 10, 2011 at 9:44 am
Deb Colucci says:
I would love a BBB! Big plans for the garden this year!! BBB me!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:49 am
prayingpup says:
I didn’t know about the Pumpkin Butter . . . . good information. If I had a BBB, I would know these things! BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:50 am
Laura Newton says:
BBB please, please!!!!!!!!!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:52 am
Kathleen says:
Thank you, Billie, for your generosity! Please add my name to the drawing for the BBB.
On February 10, 2011 at 9:53 am
Luann says:
BBB Please..
On February 10, 2011 at 9:55 am
Zusiqu says:
BBB Please?
On February 10, 2011 at 9:56 am
rileighsmom1 says:
Please enter me! BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 9:57 am
Miss Becky says:
thank you Billie for sponsoring this Ball Blue Book giveaway. It’s awfully generous of you! and thanks to you also Suzanne, for this giveaway and for simply being you. have I told you lately how much I love Chickens in The Road? well I do. it’s been a pleasure following you through the thick and thin times of Stringtown Rising Farm. have a beautiful day! :hug: BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:59 am
Gerry says:
Please pick me for the BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:03 am
Mary from Baton Rouge says:
consider me for the BBB!!!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:08 am
KristenA says:
BBB me please!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:10 am
Faith says:
BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:12 am
mygirls01 says:
BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:24 am
Abiga/Karen says:
Thanks for the info about pumpkin butter! BBB for me!!!!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:24 am
Deb says:
The pumpkin butter was a new one to me too; I’m definitely checking out the links to see why. This year I canned apple and pear butter. I also make lots of jams and jellies. Another thing you shouldn’t can is pickled eggs; those I just put in the refrigerator to keep safe.
On February 10, 2011 at 10:30 am
Nancy Stickler says:
Just read the reasons why not to can pumpkin…another thing that makes you go hmmmm….BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 10:35 am
Jennifer S says:
I would love to win a BBB, please!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:36 am
Juliana (Mrs. Obe) says:
Billie — thank you very mush for sponsoring this BBB giveaway.
Suzanne – Please enter me in the drawing. And Thank You for all teaching you do (I’m a grateful and learning B student!)
On February 10, 2011 at 10:41 am
Ramona says:
Gosh, that’s the truth and also why waste the space trying to can some of the stuff that the internet says you can preserve…..
BBB sounds good to me.
On February 10, 2011 at 10:47 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
There is more info here on the only recommended methods for canning pumpkin:
https://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_04/pumpkin_winter_squash.html
Pureed pumpkin (as in pumpkin butter) is not recommended.
On February 10, 2011 at 11:06 am
Nadeanne says:
I need a BBB, please!! 😀
On February 10, 2011 at 10:47 am
Mike says:
What about sandwich in a can?
On February 10, 2011 at 11:01 am
marymac says:
I need a new BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 11:01 am
farmershae says:
BBB me please! :smilerabbit:
On February 10, 2011 at 11:02 am
Naomi says:
BBB Please
On February 10, 2011 at 11:02 am
kindigo27 says:
pretty, pretty please, oh random number generator, pick me for a BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 11:04 am
Lisa says:
Absolutely BBB:)))
On February 10, 2011 at 11:09 am
sal says:
BBB Pretty please? With sugar on it? I’d love to win this book, today, now. ;o)
On February 10, 2011 at 11:16 am
Diane says:
I would like the BBB.
On February 10, 2011 at 11:18 am
Amanda says:
Would love to win that BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 11:23 am
Sherri says:
BBB please.
On February 10, 2011 at 11:25 am
Linda T. says:
I would like to have the BBB please; otherwise I’m likely to can 4 gallons of chocolate sauce!
On February 10, 2011 at 11:26 am
Pam says:
BBB, please :fairy:
On February 10, 2011 at 11:30 am
Terri Draeger says:
Please put me down for the BBB drawing. Knowledge is Power!
On February 10, 2011 at 11:53 am
Mim says:
include me please :pawprint:
On February 10, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Barbara T says:
BBB please
On February 10, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Sharon Dziekonski says:
I want to win this book so I can learn why chocolate/fudge sauce and pumpkin butter shouldn’t be canned. Inquiring minds need to know!
On February 10, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Sarah says:
BBB please! I’ve got big plans.
On February 10, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Michelle says:
Yes, I’d like to win, please!
On February 10, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Gidget says:
I could use a BBB Please!
On February 10, 2011 at 12:26 pm
KaraLeigh says:
BBB, please!!! =)
On February 10, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Wanda says:
Need BBB badly!
On February 10, 2011 at 12:45 pm
0rlasha says:
:shimmy: :wave: :eating:
On February 10, 2011 at 12:48 pm
BethAnn says:
I learn so much here Suzanne…thank you! BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 1:03 pm
rainss61 says:
I feel lucky—-BBB please !!! 🙂 :duck:
On February 10, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Melanie says:
BBB please and thanks. Sorry to hear about your little goat. :hug:
On February 10, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Krista S. says:
I’m new to canning and would love the BBB! Thanks!
On February 10, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Jackie Georgiou says:
I would like to enter to win the BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 1:57 pm
cricketjett says:
BBB, please!!!!
On February 10, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Tricia in Texas says:
BBB just for ME!!!
On February 10, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Patricia Herman says:
I am just learning the basics…applesauce and orange marmalade.
BBB please.
On February 10, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Ruth C says:
I never knew these! I’d love to have a BBB book to tell me more!
On February 10, 2011 at 2:22 pm
mammaleigh says:
BBB Please!! I am still learning all of this! I think I had heard that you could not can pumpkin, BUT I didn’t know why. Thankfully no one in the house likes pumpkin other than me so I really don’t have a problem there. Now the roasted seed we could eat all year long!
On February 10, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Cheryl McCloskey says:
Great comment about what not to can.
BBB thanks Cheryl
On February 10, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Gini says:
Suzanne, I made my first foray into pressure canning this weekend! Beautiful jars of homemade chicken stock are mine all mine. 🙂
On February 10, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Kathleen H in Indiana says:
Would love the BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Sarah Beth says:
I’d love a BBB!
On February 10, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Linda Goble says:
I would love to win a BBB. Thanks
On February 10, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Cindy says:
I canned pumpkin butter and WON at the county fair! Thanks for the info…I won’t do it again. BBB please!
Thanks again for all the great information every day!
On February 10, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Martha in KS says:
I want to learn what I CAN can. (tee-hee can can, can you do the can can?) BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Laurie says:
BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Miss Dana says:
BBB. And truth be told…there are some things, that while ‘safe’ to can, really just shouldn’t be canned….depending on the cook. 🙂
On February 10, 2011 at 5:19 pm
LisaAJB says:
BBB please! I wanna learn how to can beans this year!
On February 10, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Clarissa says:
Thank you Billie for sponsoring this week’s BBB. I would like to start canning this year and could really use a BBB.
On February 10, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Hugh says:
Suzanne, I’d love to have the BBB book. Last summer was a fun one canning great farm-stand stuff.
On February 10, 2011 at 6:09 pm
ann/alba says:
BBB Please. Wonders if cookie will help my ODDS
:heart:
On February 10, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Linda says:
Yes, please enter me for BBB. Thank you.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:14 pm
wvhomecanner says:
Canning safely via BWB is about acidity. If we know the rules about pH/acidity and know the pH of what we want to can and how to acidify foods that are borderline pH the cloud of mystery lifts and what can be canned safely becomes clear in most cases. Naturally acidic foods can be canned without added acid. Borderline foods need acidified w/lemon juice, citric acid, etc. Low acid foods must be acidified by methods such as pickling and if it’s not appropriate for pickling, then water bath canning is likely out of the picture. Learning the rules of acidity really isn’t complicated and is the baseline we all need for canning safely by BWB. And while I don’t always agree with/like everything the NCHFP/USDA says in their guidelines, I also do not ignore the results of their lab tests on specific foods and/or recipes.
On February 10, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Elizabeth says:
BBB Please!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Leah's Mom says:
Thanks for another chance to win. Count me in!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Carol Howell says:
So much to learn! BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Tammy F says:
Trying again, hope I get lucky this time! (crosses fingers!) BBB
On February 10, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Chris Bredenkamp says:
BBB please. Thanks for offering it!
On February 10, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Janice Jewett says:
enter me for a BBB.
Thanks Janice
On February 10, 2011 at 9:37 pm
marie in Amite says:
I agree the Blue Book is the Bible of canning!!! I have one from the 70’s. I sure would love to win the newest addition. :wave:
On February 10, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Mary Fran says:
BBB please. Why would anyone try to can bread?????
On February 10, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Tammy says:
I would love to have the BBB! I have recently begun making jelly and would love to know how to can more: pickles, preserves, etc. Thanks!
On February 10, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Lindsay says:
That pumpkin business made me kinda sad lol. Pickyourown said you could freeze it though, so that’s good. BBB please!
On February 10, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Shar says:
Thank you, Suzanne & the sponsor! I’d love to enter the BBB.
On February 10, 2011 at 11:52 pm
David says:
Some of the recommendations are more opinion than anything else. Problems with canning pureed pumpkin or pumpkin butter don’t fit in that group. There is actual information regarding the potential issues with those.
On February 11, 2011 at 5:12 am
Andrea Mueller says:
I would love to win the BBB. I can weekly in the summer and at least twice a month in the winter.
On February 11, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
This giveaway is closed to entry. The winner is updated at the bottom of the post.
On February 11, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Daria Walton says:
Thanks for posting the list of what not to can – it’s scary to read about what people will attempt to can, and tough to be a voice of reason. 🙂
On February 12, 2011 at 2:57 pm