Dane County Farmers’ Market: First in three-class tomato preservation series a success

Contact: Bill Lubing Market Manager

Author: Bill Lubing

Phone: 608-455-1999

email: bill@dcfm.org

First in Three-Class Dane County Farmers’ Market

Tomato Preservation Series a Success;
Next is Hands-On Workshop

Polly Reott, Master Food Preserver (left) and participants in the first Dane County Farmers’ Market Tomato Preservation Series inspect a finished jar of canned tomatoes. In the next class participants gain hands-on experience in canning.

Sept. 1, 2015–There will be at least a few Dane County Farmers’ Market (DCFM) patrons looking for canning supplies at area hardware and grocery stores this week. And they’ll being scouring the DCFM for the very best tomatoes this Saturday.

They recently took part in the first of the DCFM’s three part Tomato Preservation Series. These standalone classes are offered by the DCFM in conjunction with the FEED Kitchens (1219 Sherman Ave., in Madison). Master Food Preserver Polly Reott demonstrated the basic canning process at the Tuesday, August 25 class.

“So many people love the wonderful tomatoes available this time of year,” says DCFM Manager Bill Lubing. “And while we can’t have fresh tomatoes all year long, canning them preserves much of their wonderful flavor, aroma, and goodness to enjoy anytime.”

Tomato Canning Workshop

The next class in the series, a hands-on workshop takes place on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 pm at the FEED Kitchens.

“Each participant takes home a jar of tomatoes that he or she helped produce,” notes Lubing. “The first class was a fantastic overview of the process. This next class is the actual process.”

As with the first class, detailed handouts are used during the class and make excellent reference material. Participants will work with Polly through the whole process of selecting, preparing, processing, and finishing their jars of tomatoes.

There is still room for those who would like to attend the September 8 Tomato Canning Workshop class. The cost is $39, which includes all supplies, with refreshments provided by DCFM members.

Tomato Freezing and Dehydrating Demonstration
The final class takes place on Tuesday, September 15. This workshop demonstrates tomato freezing and drying. Discussion and demonstrations of equipment to preserve tomatoes and other vegetables will be shown.

Participants will leave with a good understanding of the freezing and drying processes plus a freezer bag of DCFM tomatoes ready for freezing. Detailed handouts are provided for class and reference. DCFM supplied refreshments are provided. The Freezing and Drying class costs $29.

You can register for any of the classes on the DCFM website, www.dcfm.org. For more information call the DCFM at 608.455.1999.