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Canning Safety Question

10 years ago

So.... I whipped up a batch of Annie's Salsa. Yum. Followed the recipe and canned it in a bwb. And now the question:

I had a bigger pot than I normally use (Don't remember why at this point... kid just grabbed it I think). And I put the jars in when the water was boiling/bubbling. Once I put the jars in it didn't seem to really boil.

Big bubbles came up and bubbled but it never did a full roiling boil.

I left the jars in for the required time (which wihtout looking at the recipe I don't remember). Then I tacked on another five minutes because the water really wasn't boiling full boil.

Took them out and they all popped and sealed.

I had my son helping me because he wanted to do some for Xmas presents for family/scout leaders. At the risk of discouraging him- I just said 'great job' and walked away, with the thought that if I need to do something else/different/again that I could do it and break it gently to him... and I wasn't sure I needed to do something different.

I did this several days ago and I have left the jars on my counter because I felt the need to get on here and ask....

So- now at this point what do I do? IS this ok? Safe? They all sealed and popped in... no clicking jar tops.

Or should I dump it all out, boil the salsa again and then recan it? Or just put the cans in a smaller pot and bring it to a boil?

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Comments (2)

digdirt2
10 years ago
You can reprocess it when it has been less that 24 hours since they were done but not if it has been several days.

If your water was not a full boil then the salsa is under-processed. and wouldn't be considered safe to eat. The jar contents were not heated through and cold pockets can remain where bacteria can grow.

Best you can do - and its not recommended - is de-jar and hard boil it all for a minimum of 10 mins. to kill off any toxins that might have developed - it is a borderline low acid food after all - and then freeze it.

Per the guidelines it should be tossed but the choice is yours. I sure wouldn't give it as gifts to anyone though.

Dave
myfamilysfarm
10 years ago
I always allow at least 10 minutes to bring to boil, sometimes it takes longer. I check at the 10 minute and then if not boiling, again in another 10.

I would be leery to give as gifts since some people have immune issues (even some that aren't known).

Marla
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