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Freezing + Dehydrating

Freezing and dehydrating are two simple ways to preserve seasonal ingredients without canning. In this section you’ll find practical guides for freezing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and prepared foods, along with tutorials for dehydrating produce, making jerky, and drying herbs.

These methods help extend the life of fresh ingredients while preserving flavor and nutrition. Whether you're freezing berries for winter baking or dehydrating garden harvests for the pantry, these guides make it easy to reduce waste and store food for later use.

  • A rustic close-up shot of homemade venison jerky pieces scattered on a dark slate surface. The jerky, showcasing rich shades of brown and red, has a slightly glossy texture. Fresh red chili peppers are placed in the background, adding a vibrant splash of color and hinting at the spiciness of the jerky. Sprinkled coarse salt enhances the visual appeal, while the overall composition exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for food enthusiasts.
    Homemade Venison Jerky Recipe (Easy & Flavorful!)
  • Water Glassing Eggs for Long Term Egg Preservation
  • Close-up of a glass jar filled with sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, infused with fresh rosemary, surrounded by cherry tomatoes and herbs on a dark rustic surface.
    Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil with Rosemary
  • Frozen carrots are laid on a cookie sheet and ready to be bagged up for long term freezing.
    How to Freeze Carrots: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Preserving Freshness
  • How to Preserve Spinach 3 Ways
  • Green and red bell peppers on a counter ready to be frozen
    How to Freeze Peppers
  • Jar of garlic powder on a counter surrounded by dried garlic, fresh garlic, and a mortar & pestle.
    Preserving Garlic: How to Make Garlic Powder

About

Elle McCoy, author of The Rustic Elk, with long wavy hair reflected in an ornate vintage mirror, sitting at a candlelit vanity with makeup brushes, perfume, and dried flowers.

Hi, I'm Elle.

I'm a storyteller, photographer, and home cook who believes the best memories are often made around the table.

Here you'll find seasonal recipes, wild game, garden harvests, preserving traditions, and stories gathered along the way. Because good food is about more than what we eat. It's about the places we've been, the people we've gathered around our tables, and the moments that linger long after the plates are cleared.


→ Meet Elle

Currently...

📖 Reading: The Witch by Freida McFadden
🎵 Listening: Of Witches & Wretched Things
Savoring: Apple butter whiskey sours & the last little bit of October magic. 🍂
🌿 Growing: Herbs on the windowsill and chrysanthemums on the stoop
🗺️ Planning: Cozy autumn days, a little kitchen magic & surviving the semester
📺Watching: Working my way through the Friday the 13th films after binging Camp Crystal Lake.

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Recently...

  • Homemade canned peach pie filling in Ball mason jars made with fresh peaches, Clear Jel, cinnamon, and vanilla using a safe water bath canning recipe.
    Canning Peach Pie Filling
  • Wooden pantry shelves filled with homemade canned tomatoes, green beans, jams, and preserves in mason jars.
    The Ultimate Guide to Home Canning & Preserving

Recent Favorites

  • Slewfoot by Brom
  • Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
  • We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
  • The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Listen with Me

☾
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”
— William Shakespeare, Macbeth

Found Along the Way

A good paring knife doesn't ask for much attention, but it earns its place every single day. From peeling peaches to hulling strawberries and slicing garlic, it's the one tool I reach for without thinking.

Find it Here ->

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Building a life smelling of wild herbs and quiet rebellion since 2016.

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