Growing up in New England, I learned the importance of cooking with the seasons—a philosophy that has shaped both my career and my lifestyle, from my years of homesteading in Maine to my life now here in Florida. Each season brings its own flavors and traditions, and fall is especially meaningful, with the start of deer season, the harvest in full swing, and Thanksgiving just around the corner. This is the perfect time to deepen your connection with your ingredients, learning techniques that help preserve the very best of what fall has to offer.
At Sovereignty Food Safety, we celebrate these seasonal transitions by focusing on foods, techniques, and safety practices that let you capture each ingredient at its peak. For hunters, homesteaders, and home cooks alike, fall is an ideal time to explore preserving not only garden harvests but also wild game. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting to develop a passion for preserving, our classes offer a hands-on approach that brings traditional methods and modern safety standards together.
Game Preserving Techniques:
When it comes to wild game, I’ve found that safe preservation methods not only help with storage but enhance flavor in truly incredible ways. Here’s a look at some of the methods we’ll be focusing on this season:
- Summer Sausage: A beloved classic, summer sausage is a delicious and convenient way to enjoy venison. You’ll learn about blending spices, grinding, curing, and safe storage techniques so that every bite is packed with flavor and preserved safely. Summer sausage makes an excellent addition to a charcuterie board or an on-the-go snack, and it’s a rewarding skill to add to your preserving toolkit.
- Whole Muscle Curing: Curing whole cuts of wild game, such as venison loin or shoulder, is an art that brings out rich flavors and unique textures. This traditional method allows for longer storage while giving you a truly unique product that’s versatile in the kitchen. In class, we’ll cover the basics of curing salts, seasoning, and controlled drying for a safe, flavorful final product that’s perfect for slicing and sharing.
- Canning Game Meats: Many people are surprised to learn that meat can be safely canned at home! Canning game meats lets you preserve your harvest for extended periods without refrigeration, making it an ideal option for hunters and homesteaders alike. In our class, we’ll walk through the pressure canning process, covering safety tips, timing, and recipes that yield delicious, ready-to-eat meat straight from the jar.
If you want know more of my thoughts on these techniques click the link below.
Game meats, canning, curing and fermentation.
Vegetable Preservation Techniques:
With fall harvests reaching their peak, now is the time to make the most of garden-fresh vegetables. Here are some methods that we’ll explore in class to ensure that nothing goes to waste:
- Dehydration: This simple but effective method captures the concentrated flavors of fall vegetables, transforming them into snacks, soup ingredients, and much more. From tomatoes and bell peppers to herbs and onions, dehydrating not only saves storage space but allows you to enjoy garden-fresh flavors in the middle of winter. You’ll learn best practices for slicing, drying times, and storage to keep your dried veggies at their best.
- Canning: There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about canning fall vegetables—putting up jars of pickles, salsas, sauces, and chutneys that will brighten up winter meals. We’ll cover both hot water bath canning and pressure canning to ensure you’re equipped to safely preserve a wide range of vegetables, whether you’re making simple pickles or complex preserves. This is a timeless technique that brings out the best in seasonal produce, extending its shelf life for months.
- Breadmaking: No fall feast is complete without freshly baked bread on the table. Breadmaking is a beautiful way to reconnect with traditional techniques, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary. From kneading to proofing and baking, we’ll go over everything you need to know to make bread with great texture and flavor. It’s also a great way to use up those leftover fall vegetables like pumpkin and potato. This class is ideal for both beginners and those looking to refine their breadmaking skills.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reminded of how food brings us together. There’s something truly special about sharing a meal made from ingredients you’ve grown, hunted, or preserved yourself. Each technique we’ll be covering adds a new layer to your culinary skills, enhancing the way you experience food. Whether you’re stocking your pantry, creating homemade gifts, or preparing for the big holiday meal, these preservation methods can add a new dimension to your cooking and a deeper sense of gratitude for each ingredient.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re interested in canning, preserving venison, perfecting your bread-making skills, or learning other preservation methods, Sovereignty Food Safety has a class for you. Join us this season to deepen your knowledge and enjoy the harvest in a way that’s safe, sustainable, and delicious.
