Blairsville, GA – The Union County Cannery located at the Union County Farmers Market at 148 Old Smokey Road in Blairsville hosted a free canning class lead by Dr. Elizabeth L. Andress, Ph.D. on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 10 a.m. 43 people signed up to attend.

In the first half, Dr. Andress, of UGA Extension, took the class through a basic course on understanding the equipment necessary for safe canning and the elementary principles of acidity, toxicity, heat, pressures, and cooking times for safe canning. Dr. Andress also stressed the importance of using tested, proven recipes and exhibited “So Easy to Preserve”, a book containing recipes that have all been scientifically tested and proven safe in her lab at UGA. The book, “So Easy to Preserve”, can be purchased on-line through UGA Publications Store and the National Center for Food Preservation.

Lunch was hot dogs and a home-made dessert served at the covered eating area next to the concession.

The second half of the class was devoted to a hands-on experience. With the assistance of the cannery staff, students made pickled summer squash, each student taking home a jar or two… or three. Incidentally, several men attended the class.

The cannery will officially open for the 2017 season on July 6, 2017, will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July, and will add Wednesday’s in August to handle the volume.

FetchYourNews.com thanks Dr. Andress and the entire staff at the Union County Cannery for everything they do for the citizens and visitors to Union County/Blairsville, GA.