We all know the feeling of panic that sets in once your garden really takes off for the summer, but few master the art of preserving their produce so deliciously that it ends up becoming their career — unless you happen to be Lesley Mortimer.
Mortimer had a career in accounting when she began Know Your Roots (formally known as Healthy by Design) in 2016. What began as kitchen experiments to help preserve her garden’s bounty quickly turned into sharing canned goods with friends and family, perfecting her recipes based on their feedback, and launching her product at local farmers markets.
Mortimer grew up in a German family, where making sauerkraut wasn’t an unusual activity. All she remembers about those days, however, is that she didn’t like the smell of it — little did she know that one day, making sauerkraut would become her living. Instead, she learned everything she knows about pickling and fermenting foods from taking a course through Colorado State University’s Extension Office and watching YouTube videos on her own. She always loved cooking and perfecting recipes, and once she began to see the response she received for her food, her company took off quickly. Today, Know Your Roots can be found at the Boulder and Longmont Farmers Markets along with dozens of others across Colorado, and her products are sold in small stores across the country.
Learning how to preserve your own food is an excellent way to support local producers and keep highly nutritious, tasteful food in your pantry all year long. Cabbage can be transformed into sauerkraut and kimchi, cucumbers turn to pickles in flavorful brines, and you can create your own salsas and hot sauces from summer tomatoes and peppers. If you enjoy bitter, tangy flavors, there are very few vegetables that can’t be preserved through the art of fermentation. But the process can seem intimidating for beginners. For those looking to make this particularly abundant produce season last, Mortimer shared her tips for those looking to get into preserving their food.
Gather the necessary supplies
If you don’t know what you might need to start your canning journey, the internet’s got your back. Mortimer recommends purchasing a canning kit, which will include everything you need to get started. There are options all all price points depending on where you look, and you can visit your local home goods store to see what they have in stock. It’s also worth investing in proper canning jars, which allow you to get the seal necessary to store your food safely.
Start with sauerkraut
While it might not be the flashiest food, sauerkraut is a simpler food to begin your journey. Fermentation is usually safer than pickling for beginners, and all you have to do to make an excellent sauerkraut is work the cabbage and brine. Plus, fall is an excellent time to stock up on cabbage at the farmers markets while it’s in season, and if all turns out well, you’ll be well-stocked for your next cookout.
Don’t be afraid to begin
Yes, before anyone starts experimenting with canning, you should be aware of the risks. It’s important to read up on how to safely preserve food before you start your journey. Whether you prefer learning on your own through YouTube or want to take a course like Mortimer did, there is plenty of information out there to educate yourself before you make your first recipe. However, don’t let the learning curve stop you from trying if it’s something you are passionate about exploring. We call it “experimenting” in the kitchen for a reason — your first try doesn’t have to be a success. When in doubt, just toss it out.
Use local ingredients
One of the reasons Know Your Roots’ products taste so good is that they use ingredients from local farms. Mortimer believes the freshest ingredients make the best canned goods, especially when it comes to preserving some crunch. Know Your Roots uses produce from vendors like Rocky Mountain Fresh, Croft Family Farm, Aspen Moon Farm, Toohey and Sons, and Topp Fruits regularly, so stocking up from your favorite market vendors is an excellent way to make delicious canned food to enjoy all year.
Reduce waste in the kitchen
One of Mortimer’s favorite parts about preserving food is that it’s a really easy way to reduce food waste. You can take nearly any hearty vegetable (including sturdy greens) and turn it into something delicious by simply working in some salt and flavors and giving it the time to transform into something new. If you aren’t sure where to start, Mortimer recommends using the cores from apples to make your own apple cider vinegar.
Visit Know Your Roots’ booth at the Boulder and Longmont Farmers Markets this weekend to shop from their impressive lineup of preserved foods, which includes everything from dill pickles to kimchi and beet Kvass. If you find Mortimer at the booth, she’d be thrilled to share more tips to help you preserve local food in your own kitchen. We hope to see you at the markets this weekend.