Sweet potatoes are not just a tasty ingredient; they’re a nutrient-packed powerhouse that can liven up any meal. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, sweet potatoes are delicious, nutritious, and incredibly versatile.
Whether you’re a home cook, a food preservation advocate, or someone passionate about sustainable living, learning how to can sweet potatoes is a fantastic way to make sure you have this wonderful vegetable on hand year-round.
Here’s everything you need to know about canning sweet potatoes safely at home.
Why Should You Can Sweet Potatoes?
Canning sweet potatoes extends their shelf life, allowing you to enjoy their goodness throughout the year. It’s also a great way to preserve the harvest if you grow your own or find a good deal at your local farmer’s market.
Plus, having canned sweet potatoes on hand means you’re always ready to whip up a quick, healthy side dish or incorporate them into soups, stews, and casseroles.
How to Can Sweet Potatoes
Are you ready to learn how to can sweet potatoes? Here are some tips!
Ingredients
- 17 ½ lbs of sweet potatoes (for 7 quarts – you’ll need about 11 lbs for 9 pints)
- Salt (optional)
Instructions
1. After selecting your sweet potatoes, you will need to wash them. Boil or steam them until they’re somewhat soft, or for about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Peel the skins, then cut the sweet potatoes so they’re uniform in size. Do not mash or puree them, as this can make them unsafe for canning (the heat doesn’t distribute evenly in the jars).
3. Fill the jars, leaving about an inch of headspace.
4. Add a teaspoon of salt per quart (or half a teaspoon per pint), if desired. This isn’t necessary for safety, but does add a nice touch.
5. Cover the sweet potatoes with boiling water, again maintaining that inch of headspace.
6. Put the lids on the jars, then the bands. Adjust until they’re fingertip tight.
7. Load the canner, then put on the locking lid.
8. Turn the burner on the stove, then allow the canner to vent steam for 10 minutes. Put the weight on the canner.
9. Process pints for 65 minutes at 11 lbs pressure in a dial-gauge canner or 10 lbs in a weighted-gauge pressure canner. Process quarts for 90 minutes at 11 lbs pressure in a dial-gauge canner or 10 lbs in a weighted-gauge canner.
10. Once the canning time has finished, turn the heat off and allow the canner to depressurize on its own.
11. Remove the jars from the canner and allow them to cool on the countertop, with a clean towel beneath them, for 24 hours.
12. Check the seals, label, and store.
How to Use Canned Sweet Potatoes
The flavor of canned sweet potatoes is just like regular sweet potatoes – sweet and somewhat nutty! The texture is similar to boiled sweet potatoes. You can mash them up easily after you strain the liquid out of the jars.
Here are some simple and tasty ways to use canned sweet potatoes:
- Sweet Potato Casserole: Make a classic sweet potato casserole by mashing canned sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and spices, then topping with a crunchy pecan or marshmallow topping.
- Sweet Potato Pie: Use canned sweet potatoes as a time-saving alternative for making delicious sweet potato pie. Simply mash the sweet potatoes and follow your favorite pie recipe.
- Sweet Potato Mash: Mash canned sweet potatoes with a bit of honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, and a touch of butter for a tasty side dish.
- Sweet Potato Soup: Blend canned sweet potatoes with broth, spices, and cream for a creamy and comforting sweet potato soup.
- Sweet Potato Pancakes: Add mashed canned sweet potatoes to pancake batter for a nutritious and flavorful twist on traditional pancakes.
- Sweet Potato Salad: Combine diced canned sweet potatoes with mayo, mustard, celery, and onions for a unique and tasty sweet potato salad.
- Sweet Potato Tacos: Use canned sweet potatoes as a filling for vegetarian tacos along with black beans, salsa, avocado, and your favorite toppings.
- Sweet Potato Bread: Incorporate mashed canned sweet potatoes into quick bread or muffin recipes for a moist and flavorful baked treat.
- Sweet Potato Smoothie: Blend canned sweet potatoes with almond milk, banana, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg for a nutritious and tasty smoothie.
- Sweet Potato Stir-Fry: Add sliced canned sweet potatoes to stir-fries for a colorful and nutritious addition to your meal.
General Tips for Canning Sweet Potatoes
Before you start canning, here are a few tips to help you whip up the most delicious batch of canned sweet potatoes possible.
Choose Smaller Potatoes’
Technically, it’s safe to can any size or shape of sweet potatoes (you should avoid sweet potatoes that are spoiled or damaged in any way, of course).
However, for the best flavor, you’ll want to choose potatoes that are small to medium-sized. They should be mature, but not so mature that they’ve softened. Also, avoid sweet potatoes that are not too fibrous.
Generally speaking, you should aim to can sweet potatoes within one to two months after harvest.
Try Candied Sweet Potatoes
If you’d rather not can just plain old sweet potatoes, don’t worry – you can get creative! Another fun recipe is candied sweet potatoes. You can use a simple syrup just like you would for fruit (you’ll need about ½ cup sugar and 5 cups of water for a light syrup, or equal parts sugar and water for a sweeter, thicker sauce).
After you pack your jars, instead of pouring on the hot water, pour on the warm syrup instead. Easy as that!
Use This Recipe for Yams, Too
Contrary to popular belief, sweet potatoes and yams aren’t the same thing! However, you can also pressure can yams using this recipe as well.
Final Thoughts
Canning sweet potatoes is a rewarding way to preserve their flavor and nutritional value. Whether you’re new to canning or looking to add to your pantry staples, sweet potatoes are a great choice.
So what are you waiting for? Try this sweet treat in your canner today!
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