Day 19: Pressure Canned Asparagus

Pressure Canned Asparagus
   
Day Nineteen (08.06.2012)
Processing: Pressure Canner 30mins (pints/half-pints), 40mins (quarts)
Yield: 10 x half-pints (10 cups)
  
Another bargain today to can with - I purchased bunches of asparagus for 49c each (reg. price $2.98 per bunch). So altogether 3 1/2 pounds (1.6kg) cost me less than $5.00! So I decided to pressure can them today .....

Fresh asparagus

  

Rinsing cleaned asparagus

My 4yr old helped me can

Must have: recipe holder

Awaiting boiling water then seals

Wash asparagus then drain and trim ends. Remove scales by using a paring knife and sliding the blade under each scale, lifting at the end to cut scales off [or leave them on if you prefer]. Rinse again and drain well. Raw-pack asparagus pieces into sterilised jars to 1 inch (2.5cm) headspace. Pack tightly. I packed my asparagus two different ways:
1. Large asparagus spears placed spear-side-down into the jars;
2. 1 inch pieces of asparagus, spooned into jars.
Add 1/2 teaspoon salt per pint [optional] then add boiling water to 1 inch headspace. Remove bubbles, add extra boiling water (if required), wipe rims, apply seals and twist bands on to fingertip-tight. Place hot jars into pressure canner (with 2 inches of pre-boiled hot water already inside). Attach lid and heat on high until visible white steam has vented for 10 minutes. Add weight and bring up to 10 pounds pressure then process for 30 minutes (pints/half-pints) or 40 minutes (quarts) at this pressure. Once finished, turn off heat, allow pressure to return to zero before venting then remove lid. Remove jars after 5 minutes to a teatowel-covered bench to rest overnight. The next day remove bands, label and store in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months. I made 10 x half-pints of asparagus following this recipe.
     
Ingredients:
3 1/2 pounds (1.6kg) fresh asparagus
boiling water
kosher salt [optional]
    

  

NOTE: Pint and a half jars are perfect for canning asparagus - they are new to the American canning market for this canning season, so will be several months my supplier said before they get stock in Australia :( so I had to use half-pint jars instead, which is okay as you still fit quite a bit of asparagus - enough for a side serving for our family meal :(^_^):