How did the pioneers do it?
by
Nancy Bode
+6
In the 1700's and 1800's, people didn't have pressure canners and FoodSavers. Part of that era didn't even have Mason jars! So how did they preserve and store their food long term? How did they dehydrate things and store them safely? Their flour and corn meal and such was in barrels and cloth sacks. What did they do about bugs? I am fascinated by the pioneer-self sufficient lifestyle and want to learn as much as I can. Is there anyone out there who can help me?
9 answers
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Love your question. They salted and smoked their meats --that much I remember from Little House on the Praririe :)
Miriam Illions
on Jun 23, 2013
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root cellers
Karen Hopkins
on Jun 23, 2013
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Try this site: http://www.foodtimeline.org/ It is fascinating! There are links and references that cover some of your questions.
JAB-NC
on Jun 23, 2013
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I have this book...I have been slowly introducing my girls to some of the practices. We used to have "pioneer night" quite often. http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Sampler-Daily-Life-Family/dp/0395883938 http://kmswoodworks.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/from-winter-straight-into-summer/ Another great book resource is the "foxfire" series. This is not as old as the above 1840's era but does include a lot of turn of the century folklore and practices.
KMS Woodworks
on Jun 24, 2013
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Karen - I'm trying root cellaring with radishes. Please take a look and give me your opinion. I read that you're supposed to pack root vegetables in wet sand, so I did. Does this look right? P.S. I did put a layer of sand over the top.
Nancy Bode
on Jun 24, 2013
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JAB-NC - thanks for the link! Very informative.
Nancy Bode
on Jun 24, 2013
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KMS Woodoworks - I looked at that book, and also a couple related to it. They look like something I'll want to research more. Thanks for the info!
Nancy Bode
on Jun 24, 2013
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Nancy Bode
on Jun 28, 2013
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Part of the success of "cellaring" has to do with the temperature. like some wine cellars a good root cellar should be much cooler than room temp. In the link below they recommend temps from 32 to 40 degrees. which is pretty much refrigeration temperatures. The "dampness" is also high with humidity levels at 85 to 90% http://www.almanac.com/root-cellar-build
KMS Woodworks
on Jun 29, 2013
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