If the recipe says...

[mrs_sweetpeach]

...it seems to taste better the longer you wait, is twelve years too long?

Back in May of 2000, jebra and I canned several cases of rhubarb chutney. Sadly I have almost two full cases left. The seals appear to be fine but ten years is an awfully long time. Should I try it or should I empty the jars and feed the chutney to the compost pile?

Comments

[unbroken-halo.livejournal.com]

Um... the general rule of thumb for home canned foods is 12 months. So, I would be very careful opening the jars if you are going to. The seals on the lids can and do shrink with temperature changes, so bacteria may get in. Not to mention some foods going to vinegar or crystalling from age or the sugars used.

[mrs-sweetpeach.livejournal.com]

We fed it all to the compost pile. And you're right about the lids; even though we stored the jars in our basement (where they stayed cool
throughout the years), several had lost their seals and had visible changes to the content. It smelled good but I'm glad I didn't go for a taste.

[unbroken-halo.livejournal.com]

Oh good, I am so glad none of them exploded on you. I had a jar of pickles do that to me once after 2 years. I am very careful now when I can.

I can't wait for spring here! I am hoping the last freeze is over and am going to start my seeds next week. On the schedule for this year is bell peppers, green beans, tomatoes, strawberries and cukes.

Hopefully, I can keep my cats out of my little greenhouse this year. Last year, they ate all the sprouts before I had a chance to transplant and it was too late to start over.

[mrs-sweetpeach.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Bad kitties! Hopefully you will have better luck this year. I haven't figured out what I want to grow this year, other than the rhubarb which is, of course, a perennial.