Blue Ribbon Canning takes readers on a canning journey and celebrates two American traditions--preserved food and state fairs - with more than 140 prize-winning recipes for jams, preserves, pickles, vegetables, fruit, and more, plus tips and methods for making delicious - and safe - blue ribbon recipes at home. 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 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. 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 celebrates these two traditions by sharing the top recipes and introducing you to the personal stories behind the winners. AUTHOR: inda J. Amendt is the author of four cookbooks, including Gluten-Free Breakfast, Brunch & Beyond (August 2013, Taunton), Blue Ribbon Preserves, and 175 Best Jams, Jellies, Marmalades, and Other Soft Spreads. She has won nearly 1,000 awards in state and county fair food competitions and baking contests across the country, including over 700 first-place blue ribbons and special awards for excellence. In addition, Linda is a two-time Top Preserved Foods Competitor in the United States and multiple Baked Foods Sweepstakes winner and currently serves as a judge, advisor, and sponsor for baked foods, preserved foods, and special food contests at state and county fairs. Linda was selected as a Lifetime Member of the Inaugural Class of the Sure-Jell Hall of Fame, which was established to honor the very best jame and jelly makers in the country.