OSU Extension Clackamas Family & Community Health Program

09/03/2026

Station Hot Sauce
PRO TIP: A pepper is a pepper.
Red bell peppers may be substituted for the long red chiles (but chiles have so much more flavor for a hot sauce), and you may use any hot pepper you have on hand. Just as long as the amount of peppers called for in the recipe is not changed (total 5 cups).
https://www.bernardin.ca/recipes/en/Station_hot_sauce.htm

09/01/2026

Our awesome colleagues at Hopkins Demonstration Forest!

Everyone is invited to our monthly community forestry day at the Hopkins Demonstration Forest in Beavercreek. This is an opportunity to learn about Hopkins and volunteer to help maintain our beautiful forest.

The next workday is Saturday September 12th from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. Lunch is provided. Please call 503-655-5524 to RSVP or for more information.

We look forward to seeing you in the woods!

08/31/2026

Popeye Soothie FTW! Check out these and other Food Hero recipes at www.Foodhero.org

08/30/2026

Tomatillos are like tart green tomatoes that grow in a husk and make excellent salsa. Recipes for preserving tomatillos and home canned salsa can be found on our website, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, or in any Ball canning resource published after 2016. Can't find a recipe you like? Consider freezing it. Use only research-based canned salsa recipes, as their lower pH can be a significant food safety issue. Preserving Tomatillos: https://beav.es/YNu
Laws of Salsa: https://beav.es/YNb

Image from Shelley Pauls on Unsplash.

08/29/2026

Mark your calendars and share with your Peeps! This FREE food market doesn't collect names or data. Bring a bag or box and plan to arrive early. We'll see you there!

08/29/2026

Our new front office has relocated and is ready to test pressure canner dial gauges and provide resources for the community. Family and Community Health programming and food preservation classes will be held in the same Annex building.

08/28/2026

Did you know that canners can warp? If you heat a canner over a flame higher than 12,000 BTUs, the bottom will warp and shouldn't be used for canning. Gentle reminder for y'all canning tuna on your propane stove this weekend. 😎

08/27/2026

Because whole or small cherry tomatoes lack tested, standardized guidelines for safe home canning, freezing and dehydrating are the best, highest-quality ways to store your harvest for later enjoyment. To roast them, drizzle with just enough oil to coat and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet with garlic and herbs such as rosemary, oregano, or basil. Bake at 400°F until the skins split and they start to brown. Store in freezer containers to enjoy year-round.

Image from Lars Blankers on Unsplash

08/27/2026

Your tomatoes are ripening at different times. Can you freeze them now and use them for home-canned salsa later?

Freezing them for later might seem like the perfect solution, but thawed tomatoes lose moisture and can result in lower-quality home-canned salsa.

Instead, consider making a half or quarter batch with fresh tomatoes and processing it in a smaller stock pot that is deep enough to safely cover the jars with 1 to 2 inches of water.

Another option? Make your salsa and freeze it for later instead of canning it.

Get the full answer from Ask Extension, https://beav.es/Yx6.

08/26/2026

Celebrate National Dog Day with research-based, high-reward, dehydrated dog treats. Recipe shared by our friends at the UC Master Food Preserver program. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2023-05/384528.pdf
Photo by Don Wiley