canning dried beans or peas (shelled), all va

Quantity: An average of 5 pounds is needed per canner load of 7 quarts; an average of 3-¼ pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints--an average of ¾ pounds per quart.

Quality: Select mature, dry seeds. Sort out and discard discolored seeds.

Procedure: Place dried beans or peas in a large pot and cover with water.

Soak 12 to 18 hours in a cool place. Drain water. To quickly hydrate beans, you may cover sorted and washed beans with boiling water in a saucepan.

Boil 2 minutes, remove from heat, soak 1 hour and drain. Cover beans soaked by either method with fresh water and boil 30 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon of salt per pint or 1 teaspoon per quart to the jar, if desired. Fill jars with beans or peas and cooking water, leaving 1-inch headspace.

Adjust lids and process as recommended in Table 1 or Table 2 according to the method of canning used.

Table 1. Recommended process time for Beans or Peas in a dial-gauge pressure canner.

Style of Pack: Hot. Jar Size: Pints, Quarts. Process Time: 75 minutes for Pints, 90 minutes for Quarts. Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of 0 - 2,000 ft: 11 lb.

Table 2. Recommended process time for Beans or Peas in a weighted-gauge pressure canner.

Style of pack: Hot. Jar Size: Pints, Quarts. Process Time: 75 minutes for Pints, 90 minutes for Quarts. Canner pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of 0 - 1,000 ft: 10 lb.

== == * USDA Agriculture Information Bulletin No.

9 (rev.

94) * Meal-Master format courtesy of Karen Mintzias From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini