Welcome to Our Traditional Preserves
We are Tim and Shanna, a husband-and-wife team with over two decades of combined experience in traditional food preservation. Our journey began in our grandparents’ farmhouse basement, where rows of colorful mason jars lined wooden shelves, and the air was always thick with the aroma of pickling spices and fermenting vegetables.
Growing up in rural farming communities taught us the importance of preserving the harvest. We’ve spent countless summers learning age-old techniques, from water bath canning and pressure canning to fermentation and dehydration. Our expertise extends to smoking meats, salt curing, and creating traditional preserves using recipes passed down through generations.
Our passion for food preservation deepened when we started our own homestead fifteen years ago. What began as a small garden and a few canning projects evolved into a full-scale operation, complete with a root cellar and a dedicated preservation kitchen. We now process hundreds of pounds of produce annually, using methods that our ancestors relied upon long before modern refrigeration.
Beyond our practical experience, we’ve completed numerous workshops and certifications in food safety and preservation techniques. We regularly collaborate with local farming communities and teach preservation classes at our county’s agricultural extension office.
This blog is our way of sharing not just recipes and techniques, but the vital knowledge that connects us to our food heritage. We believe in the importance of self-sufficiency, reducing food waste, and maintaining these traditional skills for future generations.
Join us as we explore the time-tested methods of keeping food fresh, nutritious, and delicious – naturally. From basic water bath canning to advanced charcuterie, we’re here to guide you through every step of your food preservation journey.
Together, let’s keep these essential traditions alive, one preserved jar at a time.
