Blueberry Pie Filling Canning Recipes: Enjoy Summer's Bounty All Year Round
Blueberry pie filling is a summer staple, but there's no reason to limit yourself to enjoying it only during the season. With a little effort, you can preserve the deliciousness of fresh blueberries and have homemade blueberry pie filling ready for any occasion throughout the year.
Canning Basics:
Before diving into recipes, it's crucial to understand the basics of canning.
- Sterilization: Always sterilize your jars, lids, and rings to prevent contamination and ensure safe preservation.
- Water Bath Canning: For most pie fillings, a water bath canning method is used. This involves submerging filled jars in boiling water for a specific amount of time to create a vacuum seal.
- Processing Time: The processing time varies based on the recipe and altitude. Always follow a trusted recipe and adjust processing time as needed.
- Safety: Use only tested recipes and follow all safety guidelines for canning.
Blueberry Pie Filling Canning Recipes:
Here are some tried-and-true recipes for canning blueberry pie filling:
Classic Blueberry Pie Filling
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Combine blueberries, sugar, flour, water, and lemon juice in a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Ladle hot filling into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
- Wipe jar rims, place lids and rings on securely, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Thick Blueberry Pie Filling
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice in a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Ladle hot filling into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
- Wipe jar rims, place lids and rings on securely, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Low-Sugar Blueberry Pie Filling
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Combine blueberries, sugar, honey, flour, water, and lemon juice in a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Ladle hot filling into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
- Wipe jar rims, place lids and rings on securely, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Tips for Success:
- Use ripe blueberries: For the best flavor, use ripe blueberries.
- Don't overcook: Overcooked filling will be too thick and may have a slightly rubbery texture.
- Properly seal jars: Ensure a good seal by using a proper water bath canning method and following the recommended processing time.
- Store in a cool, dark place: Store canned pie filling in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Enjoy the sweet taste of summer with your homemade blueberry pie filling, anytime you want it!