Maine Foods for August: Cooperative Extension Recommendations
Contact: Kathy Savoie, (207) 780-4205
ORONO, Me. — University of Maine Cooperative Extension has information ready for consumers who wish to take advantage of the best of Maine foods during August.
Online bulletins at extension.umaine.edu help Maine residents find, grow, use, preserve and store in-season fruits and vegetables. Among those most applicable in August are “Let’s Preserve: Sweet Corn,” “Let’s Preserve: Tomatoes,” “Let’s Preserve: Berries and Vegetables” and “Fruits for Health: Wild Blueberries, Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn.”
Cumberland County-based Extension Educator Kathy Savoie cautions that consumers should get up-to-date information before canning food. With tomato season upon us, it is important for home canners to know that additional acid is needed to ensure the safety of whole, crushed or juiced tomatoes. To acidify tomatoes, add 1tablespoon of bottled lemon juice per pint of tomatoes or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice per quart of tomatoes.
Over the years there have been changes in scientific expertise as well as canning equipment, so there is new information on the best methods, canners, jars, and seals to use to ensure a safe result. Updated recommendations are as close as the local UMaine Extension office. Visit extension.umaine.edu or call 800-287-0274 to find an office and local food preservation workshops.
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.
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For more than 90 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land-grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county.