An all-American tradition. Since the early 1800s America's state fairs have celebrated community. Now, 200 years later, food contests and recipe judging are more popular than ever and a blue ribbon from a state fair competition still signals that the winner is truly outstanding. Blue Ribbon Canning Across America captures the best of the best with nearly 139 home-canning recipes that have won top prizes in fairs across the nation and share the tips that show you how to follow that success. You can do it. Blue Ribbon Canning Across America will teach you time-honored canning techniques such as: Basics – ingredients and equipment Methods – water bath processing, pressure canning, safety, and storing Recipes – 139 first-prize-winning recipes showcased in delightful, full-color photographs Back to the basics. Home preserving is a top trend that shows every sign of continuing to grow as the appetite for locally grown foods increases. In addition to the resurgence in home canning, the popularity of state and local fairs has grown over the last five years. Blue Ribbon Canning Across America celebrates these two traditions by sharing the top recipes and introducing you to the personal stories behind the winners.