pickling

Making jams and pickles involves more than just throwing the contents into a glass jar; if you plan to store the canned item for several months, the cans must be processed using a method of suctioning the seal of the cans to preserve the jar's contents. But before attempting any recipe that calls for canning, it's important that you have all the equipment on hand, especially if you are making jam or pickles for the very first time. Here are the essential items you'll need and the purposes they serve:

• Fine mesh sieve or chinois: If you are making jam and need to strain the fibrous skin and seeds of the cooked fruit, a fine mesh sieve or a chinois is the easiest way strain the juice. The Williams-Sonoma chinois strainer, pestle, and stand ($70) is a jam-making life-changer. Simply place a bowl under the nifty stand, and with the other hand, use the pestle to extract every last drop of cooked fruit juice from the chinois.
• Jar funnel: It's important to prevent any liquids from contaminating the spiral seal on the outside of the glass jar. To do so, use a jar funnel like this Norpro stainless steel wide-mouth funnel ($8) to cleanly deposit the jam or pickled vegetables into the jar.
• Pressure cooker: These deep, large vessels make it easy to boil water faster and to submerge several glass jars in the water. Pressure cookers are used to sterilize the glass jars prior to filling them with jam or pickles. Then after the jars are filled, they go back into the pressure cooker for processing. This Fagor nine-piece pressure canning set ($115) is great for newbies, because in addition to the pressure cooker, it also contains all the canning equipment.
• Glass jars with metal seals and lids: Ball and Kerr mason jars are the most well-known brands on the market, and for the best deal, buy them in bulk. Some sources will say that you can reuse the glass jar, but the seal and lid should be replaced after each use. Others have reused the items without any problems. If you notice any rust forming or if the seal does not snap when processing, discard the items and swap them out for new ones.

Find out what else you'll need to start canning.

It may be hard to visualize given Summer's solid grip right now, but in a few months, we'll be indoors, seeking respite from the cold and washing away the Winter fruit shortage with little more than apples and oranges for comfort. So what's a girl to do?

Take a hint from Kate Kiernoziak, sous chef at San Francisco's Credo Restaurant: stock up on stone fruits, berries, and melons at the farmers market, then pickle them while they're still at their seasonal peak so you can enjoy them any time of year, rain or shine.

Keep reading for tips on making your own extraordinary-tasting pickled fruit

My dad is a jalapeño fiend who is known to order and hoard bowls of fresh and pickled jalapeños every time we go to a Mexican restaurant. For Father's Day, I thought I'd attempt to make a batch of homemade pickled jalapeños so my dad can get his spicy fix while he's eating chips and guacamole at home.

Sweet, tangy, and very spicy, these homemade jalapeños give Mexican restaurants a run for their money. Prepare to engage in some hee-hee-hoo-hoo breathing, because these jalapeños are the real, mouth-burning deal.

Serve these jalapeños on chips, dice them into homemade salsa, or wake up just about any Mexican fare with them. Stay cool by washing down these jalapeños with a refreshing, crisp Mexican beer. Ready to take on this super-picante recipe?

Into pickling? Check out this picture of thehungrytexan's homemade pickled jalapeños.

Easy to make (and festive!) pickled jalapeno peppers. I decided these will make perfect hostess gifts at holiday parties this Christmas! Get the recipe here.

Have you canned some of the season's bounty? Be sure to upload it in the Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community!

In the Winter, I always love to invite my friends over for a cookie swap or edible gift-making party. However, I've never done something like this during the warmer months — until now. Inspired by a new Williams-Sonoma book, The Art of Preserving, I'm hosting a canning party and I suggest you do the same. First select a date — preferably a relaxed time, like Sunday afternoon — then decide what you want to make at the event. Throw in some homemade snacks and you've got yourself a fabulous little party. At mine, I'll offer guests two nibbles in the form of a white bean dip with parsley oil and an oven-dried tomato tart with goat cheese and black olives.

What will we be making? Peach-rosemary jam and classic dill pickles! If this sounds like fun to you, check out these recipes, after the break.

• A look back at Michael Voltaggio's final dinner service. — Los Angeles Times
• Cupcakes have fueled New York City's economy.— Wall Street Journal
• Getting to know the five most popular rib cuts. — Chicago Tribune
• Homemade condiments with a summertime twist. — San Francisco Chronicle
• Behind the scenes at a pickling party. — Boston Globe
• Must make: savory ham and Gruyere bread. — New York Times
• Selecting a smoker? Here's what to look for. — Washington Post