When a review copy of The Modern Pioneer Pantry by Mary Bryant Shrader dropped in my inbox, it gave me hope. Hope that I would stop the vicious cycle: grow food, store it in the fridge, and then throw it away after I had forgotten about it months later. This book does not disappoint.
Shrader’s latest book covers all aspects of preserving. Canning (both water bath and pressure – yay!), dehydrating, pickling, fermenting, and freezing; it’s all in there. Shrader takes a huge subject and breaks it down into digestible chunks that readers can absorb in batches over time (ha – see what I did there?).
A little bit about Mary:
Mary Shrader is the creator of the Mary’s Nest YouTube channel, where she teaches traditional cooking techniques to modern pioneers. With over 68 million views and more than one million subscribers, Mary’s approachable style has made her a leading expert on nutrient-dense cooking and food preservation.. Her first book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, was a bestseller, and her second book continues to empower home cooks to embrace traditional methods in today’s kitchens.
Modern Pioneer Pantry Favorite Recipes
Here at Gardenerd, we’re always on the lookout for ways to preserve home-grown produce and this book offers many options. I bookmarked more than 30 recipes to try out. My list includes Pressure Canned Cubed Potatoes (because let’s face it, they start sprouting again before we can use them all), and Simple Dehydrator Strawberry Lemon Jam.
Other great ways to preserve your harvest: Oven-dried Candied Tomatoes, Spiced Preserved Lemons, and make-ahead Einkorn Sourdough Pie Crust. We also look forward to making Pickled Ginger, and End Of Season Vegetable Medley.
My only caveat about the book: I wish there were more instructions about recipe modifications for vegetarians and vegans. The recipes can be adapted if you know your National Center for Home Food Preservation guidelines. Just be sure to follow those guidelines so you keep your food safe.
Are You Intimidated?
Food preservation can be intimidating. But think of it this way: I’ve threatened to dig a root cellar in my back yard out of frustration over yet another head of Romanesco gone bad in the crisper drawer. The processes in this book are waaaaay easier than that.
The Modern Pioneer Pantry will be released on August 19, 2025. Pre-order your copy (use this link to help support Gardenerd) and get ready to make use of every last thing you harvest from your garden this year.
