DEAR HELOISE: My wife and I canned tomatoes, green beans and tomato juice in 1997. Since then, my wife passed away, and time has moved on. Are these home-canned goods still good to use? I have asked friends and family and continue to get different answers.
-- Dale, via email
DEAR READER: No, they are not safe to eat, especially anything acidic, such as tomatoes. Home-canned foods should be eaten within a year. So, unfortunately, you should toss out all of the canned foods.
For others who can, the quality of food may be affected within just a few months if not canned correctly or stored in a cool, dry place. You should process the amount you know you will use in about a year, or give away to friends and family.
P.S.: My heart sends a hug to you on the loss of your wife. You may want to keep a few jars for sentimental reasons, which is just fine.
DEAR HELOISE: I read your column on using a pastry brush to get the shortening into the crevices of a fluted cake pan. I use a sandwich bag as a makeshift glove. I scoop the shortening and spread it around the pan. This makes it easy to get into those crevices. Cleanup is easy.
-- Pam R., via email
DEAR HELOISE: While getting prepared for the approaching Hurricane Iselle here in Maui, Hawaii, I made several pots of coffee and stored them in a large pot in case the power went off for a few days. As we always keep a gallon bottle of water frozen to help keep things cool in case of a power outage, I now keep frozen bottles of coffee, too. In case of prolonged misery, as the bottle thaws we will have coffee, which can be quickly warmed up on the gas barbecue.
-- Robert in Hawaii
DEAR READER: For coffee drinkers who cannot function until they get their morning fix, this is a great hint and a way to have something comforting at these times.
DEAR HELOISE: I recently read your column about kiwi fruit. The easiest way to enjoy kiwi fruit is to cut off the end and eat it with a spoon. There's no mess, and it's delicious.
-- Marion K.,
Edwardsville, Pa.
DEAR READER: Want to boost your vitamin C and A intake? Yummy fruits like strawberries, grapefruit and, of course, oranges have lots of vitamin C. But here is an easy way to get your vitamin C and vitamin A daily: Eight ounces of plain old tomato juice (41 calories) has about 70 percent of the daily recommend amount of vitamin C and 22 percent of vitamin A, based on a 2,000-calorie daily diet.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
Food on 09/24/2014