A Step-by-Step Guide to Canning Gala Apples at Home

Canning apples is a wonderful way to preserve the crisp, delicious taste of fresh fruit all year round. Today, I'll walk you through the process of canning Gala apples, a variety perfect for this method. Let's dive into this fulfilling project!

Morning Chores and Baking Bread
My morning began as usual, completing my chores and realizing we were almost out of bread. So, I decided to bake a simple white bread, currently rising and almost ready to go into the oven. But the main task for today is canning apples. I recently purchased some Gala apples, which are excellent for canning, and I have set aside several jars specifically for this purpose.

Preparing the Apples
First, we need to wash the apples thoroughly. I used a large sink, cleaned out for this task. After washing, I prepared a bowl of cold water with lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning quickly once peeled and cored.

Peeling and Coring
Using a handy apple peeler and corer, I processed the apples swiftly. This tool makes the task easy and efficient, ensuring the apples are peeled, cored, and sliced perfectly. After each apple was peeled and cored, I immediately submerged them in the lemon water bath to keep them from turning brown.

Blanching the Apples
Next, I prepared a blanching solution by boiling two quarts of water with one cup of sugar per quart. This sugar water serves both to blanch the apples and to can them. Once the water reached a boil, I blanched the apples for five minutes.

Preparing the Jars
While the apples blanched, I prepared the canning jars. The lids were washed, and the jars were ready to be filled. I also had my pressure canner set up, which I used as a water bath canner with extra water to ensure it would cover the jars by at least one to two inches.

Filling the Jars
Once the apples finished blanching, I filled the jars with the hot apple slices and the sugar water, leaving about an inch of headspace. Using a chopstick, I removed any air bubbles from the jars. It's essential to eliminate as much air as possible to prevent siphoning during the canning process.

Water Bath Canning
With the jars filled, I placed them in the water bath canner, ensuring the water covered them adequately. The jars needed to be processed for 20 minutes to ensure they sealed properly and were safe for long-term storage.

The Final Product
After 20 minutes, I carefully removed the jars from the canner and set them on a wooden cutting board to cool. The jars sealed beautifully, and the apple slices looked fantastic. I was very pleased with the results, and I hope to can more apples before the season ends.

Conclusion
Canning Gala apples is a rewarding process that allows you to enjoy fresh, homemade apple slices year-round. Whether you use them for pies, sauces, or just as a snack, the effort is well worth it. Thank you for joining me in this canning adventure, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the future.