Canning Beans – Baked

Quantity: An average of 5 pounds of beans is neeed per canner load of 7 quarts; an average of 3-1/4 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints--an average of 3/4 pounds per quart.

Quality: Select mature, dry seeds. Sort out and discard discolored seeds.

Procedure: Sort and wash dry beans. Add 3 cups of water for each cup of dried beans or peas. Boil 2 minutes, remove from heat and soak 1 hour and drain. Heat to boiling in fresh water, and save liquid for making sauce. Make your choice of the following sauces:

Tomato Sauce--Mix 1 quart tomato juice, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 tablespoon chopped onion, and 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves, allspice, mace, and cayenne pepper. Heat to boiling. Add 3 quarts cooking liquid from beans and bring back to boiling.

Molasses Sauce--Mix 4 cups water or cooking liquid from beans, 3 tablespoons dark molasses, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon powdered dry mustard. Heat to boiling.

Place seven 3/4-inch pieces of pork, ham or bacon in an earthenware crock, a large casserole, or a pan. Add beans and enough molasses sauce to cover beans. Cover and bake 4 to 5 hours at 350° F. Add water as needed--about every hour. Fill jars, leaving 1-inch headspace.

Adjust lids and process according to the recommendations in Table 1 or Table 2 depending on the method of canning used.

Table 1. Recommended process time for Beans, Dry, with Tomato or Molasses Sauce in a dial-gauge pressure canner.
			Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack	Jar Size	Process Time	0 - 2,000 ft	2,001 - 4,000 ft	4,001 - 6,000 ft	6,001 - 8,000 ft
Hot	Pints Quarts	65 min 75	11 lb 11	12 lb 12	13 lb 13	14 lb 14

Table 2. Recommended process time for Beans, Dry, with Tomato or Molasses Sauce in a weighted-gauge pressure canner.
			Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of pack	Jar Size	Process Time	0 - 1,000 ft	Above 1,000 ft
Hot	Pints Quarts	65 min 75	10 lb 10	15 lb 15