Find tips, techniques at canning workshop
The height of canning season is upon us.
No matter how long you’ve been preserving, questions can arise about the process. But you can ask me and two other local canning experts for answers during an open house Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Sun People Dry Goods, 32 W. Second Ave., Suite 200.
The three of us, who were trained by Washington State University Extension on food preservation, will be on hand to demonstrate water-bath and pressure-canning techniques during the free “Canning 101” workshop.
Also, Jennifer Hall, Kelly LaGrutta and I will be able to test gauges on pressure canners. We’ll have safe recipes to hand out and advice for canners whether experienced or novice.
For more information, contact Juliet Sinisterra at juliet@sunpeopledry goods.com or call (509) 368-9378.
Ready those fair goodies
Pend Oreille County bakers still have a chance to woo fair judges with apple pie, huckleberries, cookies and chocolate.
Entries into several baking contests are accepted during fair week, which will be Aug. 18-21 at 419152 Highway 20 in Cusick, Wash., says Barb McGill, superintendent of baking at the fair.
Here are some of the competitions:
Fresh Apple Pie Contest - Open to children and adults, the entries are due Aug. 19, by noon. Judges dive into the pies about 2 p.m. Entries in the kids’ Monster Cookie contest are also due by noon that day and will be judged with the pies.
Kids’ Cupcake Decorating Contest - Everything kids need to decorate will be available in the home economics building starting Friday afternoon. Kids can decorate until about noon on Saturday.
McGill says they have children as young as 3 enter. “We supply everything and they bring their imaginations.”
Fresh Huckleberry Dessert Contest – Open to children and adults. Entries are due on Aug. 20, by noon. Judging is about 2 p.m. with the kids’ cupcake contest entries.
Best of Chocolate – Items entered in all of the baking categories are considered for this award. Sorry – they have enough judges for the competition.
The theme of this year’s fair is “Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future,” so McGill will be sharing the winning fair recipes she’s collected over her years as baking superintendent and judge. She says she’ll have the recipes on display and supply cards so fairgoers can copy down their favorites. She also has a photo album of contest winners that will be on display.
Complete rules and entry information are in the fair book. It can be found online at www.povn.com/ pocofair/ or fair books are available at Pend Oreille County libraries. Call the fair office at (509) 445-1367.