How Long's it Good For?

[TurtleMama]

My DH and I are reorganizing, moving around, and rotating our food storage today. I have several quarts of russet potatoes that I canned back in September of 2010, and several pints of carrots that I canned in May of 2011. Will those still be okay to eat? My potatoes have a lot of starch on the bottom of the jars, but I'm figuring that's pretty normal since they're a pretty starchy food! I'm just seeking reassurance, I guess...I've eaten chicken that I canned back in 2010 and it was still wonderful...just haven't tied into those veggies yet.

 

Thanks in advance for any opinions/expertise on this subject!

[Canned Nerd]

They should be quite good, probably with years of storage left in them. Single food items tend to be quite stable and don't lose taste or texture for a long time. I'm still working on mine from 2007 and the chicken was great.

[Jeepers]

I wouldn't hesitate to eat them. I've had home canned food a lot longer than that and it was as good as the day I canned it.

 

My canned potatoes get starchy in the bottom of the jar too. I usually just rinse them off.

[TurtleMama]

Awesome! I wouldn't have thought to have rinsed them. We've started dehydrating potatoes much more than canning them -- it seems to be a much more efficient use of space to keep them dry instead of canned. But I want my quart jars back!!! I have tons of chicken to can! I see a stew in my near future, made with home-canned potatoes and carrots. Thanks so much, guys!

[Violet]

As long as they are sealed they are safe. Quality changes over time, but still won't make you ill. That is as long as they were properly processed to start with. Best quality is within 12 months, but that is all it is , just the quality.

[Midnightmom]

Let me interrupt and ask a question. Do you leave the screw rings on your canned goods after processing and when putting them in storage???

[Jeepers]

No midnightmom, you remove the screw on bands.

 

After the jars are completely cooled down, (I usually wait at least 12 hours) you remove the bands. Then you wash the jars well (I use a soapy dish cloth) to remove any food that may have been forced from the jar during canning. Especially around the top of the jar where the ridges are. Then I rinse and dry the jar and store it away. Then I wash and dry the bands.

 

The screw on bands can be used over and over again as long as they aren't bent or rusty.

[TurtleMama]

I, too, take the screw-on rings off before putting the jars away in storage. I've heard of them rusting onto the jars and don't want that happening to my stuff!

[Midnightmom]

I usually wash the jars after processing too. And I thought about the rust issue. But they seem to stack better (more stability) if the rings are left on. Guess I'll go back and remove them. Thanks.

[Jeepers]

You can always wash and dry your jars and rings and put the rings back on for storage. Just be sure you store them in a dry place if you do. My basement is damp and some of the lids on my dried food rusted. And they had never had any water touch them.