Let's Make Jam! A jam and jelly-making class will be led by the University of Illinois Extension’s Lisa Peterson, on August 24th, at the Live Well Fitness Center in Pana. Peterson is the Nutrition and Wellness Educator for the U of I Extension and is excited to kick off yet another helpful cooking class. This free event will cover not only jelly making but the science of canning. Canning is an essential piece of any cooking process when wanting to store an item for a long period of time.

Lisa Peterson is excited to dive into the different types of canning and jelly-making.

There are many ways to go wrong while canning. One wrong step could expose one to botulism, a food-borne toxin that could be deadly. Research-based techniques are taught so that stored can may last for a long time on the shelf.

One issue that citizens run into while canning their own food or jelly is bubbles forming inside the can. That is air trapped inside the jelly, this can be helped by scrapping away the foam. Peterson says even adding a small amount of butter can help.

For information on the jelly-making class make sure to visit, extension.illinois.edu/cjmm

Lisa Peterson appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.