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ClearJel and Corn Strach to Use as Thickeners In Homemade Canned Pie Fillings
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This month's notes: December 2008: There's still lots to do at the farm. Many farms have hayrides, winter events, Christmas trees and fresh local produce! Canning books and equipment like canners make great Christmas gifts: see this page! It's time to make homemade cranberry sauce (even jellied), pumpkin pies, soup, cheesecake and pumpkin bread. At many Christmas tree farms, there's lots to do in addition to getting a fresh tree! Organic farms are still not common, but any that are, have the word ORGANIC by their name! Check out my easy canning instructions/recipes, canning equipment guide - and if you have tomatoes coming out your ears, see the tomatoes canning page! Also make your own ice cream - see How to make ice cream and ice cream making equipment and manuals
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Notes About Clear Jel or Ordinary Corn Starch in Making Homemade Canned Pie Fillings

ClearJel® is a corn starch that has been modified to give it special and unique characteristics when used in food products. Here is what the USDA says about it:

"It can be used for canned fruit pie fillings because it does not break down in the acid food mixtures and does not thicken enough during heat processing to interfere with the intended effect of the heat on killing bacteria during canning. It is preferred for thickening canned pie fillings as well as other foods over other corn starches because it has less or no aftertaste, the thickened juices are smooth and clear, and foods thickened with ClearJel® may be frozen."

Before assembling the other ingredients, including fresh fruits, to make the pie fillings canning recommendations, check to see if you will be able to get ClearJel®.

The USDA goes on to say:

"There is no substitution for ClearJel® that can be made in these recipes. This means do not use other corn starch, flour, tapioca, or other thickener in our recipes. You also must use ClearJel® and not Instant ClearJel®, ClearJel A®, any other form of ClearJel®, or any other modified corn starch."

Note: I've never seen "Instant ClearJel®" or "ClearJel A®" for sale, so I don't think there is a great danger of getting the wrong type.

Where to get ClearJel

ClearJel is not commonly available in local stores, but it is available online and it is inexpensive and lasts a long time. Here's where to get it! Just click on the photo below for more information:

Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go - weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and crops!

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