Canning Asparagus: Dry Pack vs traditional Water Pack results

[@merrilynhurd850]

You do amazing work.😊 The time and effort you spend just to show us the comparison between all the different ways to can. Thank you so very much.

[@millermeadows6359]

Thank you so much for those very kind words...and that acknowledgment MerriLyn! I do put a lot of time and effort into my tutorials....and sometimes opening up products that could be put on my shelves for our use at a later date, is difficult to do. However, the desire to SHOW our viewers the actual results and texture far outweigh anything else going on in my head! Anybody can make claims of how great something is....but I try to consistently SHOW the results so you the viewers can make an informed decision of your own. And I have just been using those opened products for our supper on those nights after I record and "show and tell"....so I guess I look at it as your all helping ME not to have to cook much on the days that I record! :D Blessings to you and your family!!

[@JoyfullyOrangeDeborah]

Thank you Lorrie! Many Blessings to you from Deborah in West Virginia!

[@millermeadows6359]

My pleasure Deborah!! Hope that your Spring is going well!! Things are FINALLY starting to turn green here. My rhubarb will be ready to harvest in the next week or so. We are cleaning and preparing the gardens for planting, but got rained out today which is really depressing. Now it will take a few days of drying in order to be able to work the soil easily again. But, thankful that Spring has finally arrived to our neck of the woods!!

[@JoyfullyOrangeDeborah]

@@millermeadows6359 funny thing... after I spent hours clearing the deck & getting some pots & dirt ready, I was taking weeds & dried stuff to the compost pile where I harvested quite a few plants! Some are either spaghetti squash or pumpkins, the others will be a surprise, lol. I didnt start seeds bc I just wasn't sure what I was up to doing. Now I will be behind but the only plants I will buy are lemon thyme bc I have yet to buy seeds that actually grow the correct plant! The ground isn't safe to grow in without a fence high enough to keep out deer, possums, & more. Plus we are downhill in 3 directions & may have to plan for raised beds to avoid drowning plants & slug invasion. I didn't give up altogether. I pray your growing is prosperous!!

[@judywein3282]

Thank you, Miss Lorrie! I am definitely going to dry packing some asparagus!! I also saw your video on pickling them. I am going to do that as well! That's how I found your channel, I came across your video of dry packing potatoes. I did that, and they came out beautifully! So I am anxious to try dry packing some asparagus! Thank you so much!

[@millermeadows6359]

You are so very welcome!! And I'm so glad that you have had success with what I have shared. I am also so very happy to have you here!

[@janetbade2774]

This was a perfect video! I dry canned beans and carrots last week for the first time and I'm amazed at the difference! I guess I will keep eating my asparagus fresh and not canned, so thanks for answering my question that I was just thinking this week! You are amazing!!!

[@millermeadows6359]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really think that showing the good, the bad and the ugly is the ONLY truthful way to teach. Have you tried pickled asparagus? Its crunchy and delicious!! Have a video tutorial on that if you are interested....

[@janetbade2774]

@@millermeadows6359 My Mom-in-law use to pickle it,I never cared for it back then ,30 years ago, but taste buds do change over the years, so I'll have to try it :)

[@millermeadows6359]

As a child....I hated asparagus all together. As an adult...I ADORE it. So I totally understand that yes, taste buds do change! Hope you try and ENJOY it!

[@starrstylist7441]

Great video! And I love how confident you are/sound during the video. I am a new subscriber, I'm going to check more videos. ty ty

[@madelinebahr2327]

Thanks, Lori. I have been searching for dry packed asparagus!!!! I can't wait to get started.

[@annettecarroll116]

Going to dry pack, tastes so much better. Loving your videos. Complete information. Start to finish. Bravo!

[@millermeadows6359]

Thank you so very much for those kind words! So glad to have you here with us, and hope that you continue to find useful information to apply to your own preserving journey! If you know of anyone else who may be interested in viewing, please feel free to share our channel with others. Blessings to you!

[@kayecurtis875]

Thank you for this concise, informative video. I dry can potatoes and carrots all the time, just wanted to see someone do the asparagus. The comparison at the end sold me for sure.

[@millermeadows6359]

So glad that it was helpful to you!

[@AreYouKittenMeRtNow]

Our asparagus plants will be hitting full stride this coming spring in their fourth season so I have to be ready haha! I’ll absolutely be doing this!! ❤

[@dennisconrad6124]

I think I can consider my asparagus plants coming into the 4th year. I started them from seeds. I had really good germination rate. Probably over 95%. (600+) plants. But I planted them in poor soil in land I had cleared. I’ve put a lot of work into this. But out of 7 rows, only about 4-5 did very well. But, I’m hoping to be able to harvest this year too finally.

[@rickwall8941]

Thank you so much! I have been waiting to see you do it.

[@millermeadows6359]

I had to wait until Spring when it was available in our area.... Thank you for being patient with me! Was there another one that you were waiting on also? I cant remember if it was you that asked how to can cheese or not....?

[@barbarataylor1535]

Excellent video, thank you

[@millermeadows6359]

My pleasure...and thank you also!

[@jenniferharris3989]

Great video, as usual.❤

[@millermeadows6359]

Thank you so much!

[@pamelapelech3249]

Very good info. Thank you

[@lauraquintero5180]

thanks for the comparison

[@V_626]

Thank you I love doing veg dry packed

[@millermeadows6359]

My pleasure! Its really my favorite way to can lots of different veggies also. These dry packed asparagus are so good just lightly sautéed in a frying pan to heat them.

[@merrilynhurd850]

We love asparagus. When it goes on sale again I want to try this. I also save the rubber bands.❤

[@millermeadows6359]

We really prefer the dry pack for just eating as a vegetable choice on a plate. But also love the cream of asparagus soup base with the chicken broth. Both are amazing to have on your shelves! I cant stress enough though to pack those jars super tight when dry packing. Enjoy!! Hugs!!

[@ФермаСиничка]

Thanks for video. How do you cook dry canned asparagud?

[@millermeadows6359]

I reheat it in the microwave or simply in a pan on the stove with just a little butter. Place a lid and heat over low heat....try to avoid stirring much. Just needs to be heated through is all.

[@ivahihopeful]

Hi! Do you know where I could find an opener like that? Thanks for the video!

[@millermeadows6359]

It is a vintage opener called Pry A Lid. Available occasionally on ebay, at auctions, garage sales, thrift stores ect.

[@ivahihopeful]

@@millermeadows6359 thank you! :)

[@judywein3282]

I found mine on Amazon. 😊

[@millermeadows6359]

Is there a company that is still manufacturing these new? If so, I would love a link if you would be willing to share....I would love to share that with the rest of our viewers....

[@rebel0905]

Love your videos! Just finished doing your Open Kettle Asparagus, going to try this next. Have you ever tried to dry pack Brussel Sprouts?

[@millermeadows6359]

I've tried brussel sprouts.....in so many ways, including dry pack. They intensify SO much in flavor (sulfur flavor) we just can't eat them after plain canning. However, they are really good pickled....which is processed and shelf stable. If you are a member of snug, Amber has a recipe.

[@victoriablanc761]

all of that asparagus at the bottom is good asparagus. we slice ours in half lengthwise and dehydrate them. then turn them into a powder and make cream of asparagus soup from that. wow or you could just cut them shorter instead of mushing all the tops.. lol very interesting video. I have never seen dry canning before. hmmm. I'll have to try this.

[@millermeadows6359]

Its dry packing. Dry canning is done in the oven with dry goods such as dry rice, dry beans, flour, oats, ect. The chickens have to eat also....so it did not go to waste. And, I'm not as picky (as I stated) about my plain PC asparagus as I am with my pickled. It does no harm to press the tops down. Did you see any issues with the tops when I opened the jars? Glad You found parts of my content acceptable enough to give it a try yourself. Happy canning!

[@ThePenngates]

Can the dry pack jars be water bath canned, or do they need to be pressure canned? (for safety)

[@millermeadows6359]

Yes, you can water bath them. The only issue with water bathing dry packed jars is that they like to "float". What I do is place my dry packed jars in the canner, then place an extra rack on top. Then place some open quart jars of water on the top of that rack to weigh and hold the jars of food down. Then fill you canner with water until your jars of food are submerged under 2" of water. This is SO much easier than trying to get your dry packed jars weighed down when your canner is already full of water.

[@BeachKid74-ct2ob]

I bought a oven/dishwasher safe plate the I put on top. Then I put a brick/ rock on top

[@jeanettegilder1616]

Or fermenting!

[@jillcox8084]

Has anyone dry packed mushrooms?

[@millermeadows6359]

Mushrooms are one of those food items that really shrink in size and volume. I have a video on canning mushrooms where I explain the reason its best to cook them first, and also pack with fluid. Dry packed mushrooms would leave you with a sad little pile of product in the bottom of your jar....and your jar would also then be half empty due to the shrinkage. Not only wasting space....but creating to much headspace and shortened shelf stability.