Читать книгу Canning Essentials - Jackie Callahan Parente - Страница 9

Those who claim that the preserved version cannot compete with its fresh counterpart and that frozen is far better than canned alternatives haven’t read the fine print when it comes to nutritional values. Eating fresh-picked fruits or vegetables is best, but if you want something “fresh” in February in New England, going to your local grocery—even the high-end, overpriced boutiques—won’t ensure that you will get fresh vegetables and fruits with the highest nutritional value. If your produce has been trucked or flown in from distant parts of the country or world, in addition to upping the carbon footprint, they have left much of their nutrients in the cargo hold. Compare these “fresh” fruits and vegetables to those that you’ve canned, frozen, or dried just minutes after the harvest. While it’s indisputable that freshly picked local produce offers the highest quality in terms of taste and nutrition, information from unbiased sources such as the University of California at Davis, the University of Illinois, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), show that if you choose to freeze, can, or otherwise preserve your summer harvest, you will most likely enjoy nutritional benefits equal to or better than the produce at your grocery. And considering the cost of produce during the off-season, your summer investment should be both tasty and economical.

If you find yourself gobbling up canned peaches from the supermarket, why not try to can some at home? Find fresh peaches at a local orchard for the best flavor and nutrition.