Home canning is a time-honored way to preserve the bounty of your garden, seasonal fruits, and vegetables, ensuring fresh, flavorful foods all year long. This beginner-friendly guide focuses on safe home canning practices using Bernardin, Canada’s trusted canning brand, and Ball, a leading authority in North American food preservation.

Fermented, infused, and preserved beverages have long been central to seasonal eating and sustainable cooking practices.

From the orchard to the kitchen, the methods for turning fruit and herbs into drinks reflect both tradition and innovation. In this article, we focus on four categories: cider, shrub, vinegar, and tonic. Each offers a distinct approach to flavour, preservation, and culinary use, yet they share a common thread: making the most of seasonal ingredients while minimizing waste.

Carrot Tops

Those feathery greens on carrots are often tossed, yet they’re entirely edible and packed with flavour. Historically, carrot tops were simmered into soups or used medicinally in teas.

The kitchen table was as much a part of Canada’s war effort as the factory floor. Picture it: a narrow 1940s kitchen with a wood or coal stove radiating heat, ration books fanned open beside a jar of sugar no bigger than a teacup, rows of gleaming preserves stacked like sentries along the counter, and two fresh loaves of bread cooling under clean tea towels. The air carried the mingled scent of yeast, stewed fruit, and something savoury stretching its way into tomorrow’s supper.

There is a special ritual in Greece, one that transcends mere beverage consumption. Greek coffee is more than a drink — it’s a time-honoured tradition, steeped in cultural significance, history, and family. In every sip of thick, dark coffee, rich with foam (known as kaimaki), there’s a connection to centuries of history.

The preparation and enjoyment of Greek coffee are deeply tied to the social fabric of Greek life, a bridge between generations, neighbours, and cultures.

Learn how to forage pine resin sustainably with this beginner's guide. Discover its benefits, practical uses, and tips for responsible harvesting and long-term storage.

Discover the perfect baked brie recipe with a golden, gooey centre and savoury toppings. Ideal for entertaining or a cozy meal, this easy-to-make dish will impress your guests. Learn how to bake brie to perfection on Recipes and Roots!

Discover how to make the perfect Poolish Focaccia with our easy-to-follow recipe. Learn about the traditional technique, get tips for achieving a crisp crust, and explore variations to enhance your homemade bread. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers.

My Gramma made excellent roast beef. It was a regular Sunday night dinner growing up on the prairies. My dad has carried on the tradition and his roast is really wonderful.

Bright, crisp, and bursting with bold flavors, this Sesame Ginger Cucumber Salad is a celebration of simple, sustainable cooking inspired by traditional Asian flavors. Made with fresh, thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a zesty sesame-ginger dressing, this salad is ready in just 10 minutes and requires no cooking—perfect for busy days and warm weather. Whether you’re looking to add a refreshing side dish to your dinner or a light snack that honours seasonal ingredients, this recipe brings together global culinary roots and modern low-waste practices in every bite.

Cheesy, black-bean quesadillas come together in minutes. Great for lunch or dinner.

Savour the perfect balance of gooey cheese and protein-rich black beans in this quick and easy Cheese & Black Bean Quesadilla recipe.

Inspired by classic Mexican flavors, this dish brings together pantry staples in a delicious, wholesome way that supports low-waste cooking and simple meal prep.

Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights, and perfect for anyone seeking flavorful, plant-forward comfort food with roots in traditional cuisine.

When I lived in Japan, I didn’t eat much meat. I still don’t and I’m not confident making sushi with raw fish … yet.

My go-to roll has always been kappamaki かっぱ巻き, cucumber roll, which is widely available in Japan.

It’s a type of hosomaki 細巻き, which are skinny rolls made with a single ingredient (usually a fish or vegetable).

I feel like they make sushi really accessible.

Refreshingly tart and subtly sweet, this Chia Lemonade blends zesty citrus with nutrient-packed chia seeds to create a revitalizing summer drink. Rooted in traditional Mexican “agua de limón con chía,” this easy homemade recipe honours both wellness and sustainability. Chia seeds, prized by Aztec and Mayan cultures for their hydrating and energy-giving properties, add texture and fibre while reducing the need for added sugars. Whether you're planning a picnic, looking for a post-gardening hydration boost, or simply craving something wholesome and flavourful, this drink delivers. With just a few ingredients—lemons, water, a drizzle of honey, and chia—this lemonade is naturally low-waste and aligns with seasonal traditions. Try it chilled over ice or infused with herbs like mint or basil. Simple, refreshing, and rooted in time-tested wisdom.

Sushi rice—known as shari or しゃり sumeshi 酢飯—is the subtly seasoned foundation of countless Japanese dishes, from maki rolls to nigiri.

Mastering the method for preparing perfect sushi rice at home means unlocking the true flavour and texture of Japanese cuisine.

In this recipe, we walk through the essentials: properly rinsing, cooking, and seasoning short-grain rice to achieve the perfect balance of stickiness, tang, and shine.

This technique has roots in a centuries-old fermentation tradition, and today it’s key to sushi made with intention and care.

Toasted oatmeal brings a satisfying twist to your morning routine with its warm, nutty aroma and rich flavour.

Toasting the oats before cooking deepens their natural taste, making every spoonful a comforting start to your day.

This simple recipe is perfect for those who want a wholesome breakfast that feels cozy and special without extra fuss.

Italian Wedding Soup is a beloved classic known for its comforting blend of savoury meatballs, tender greens, and delicate pasta swimming in a flavourful broth.

Despite the name, it’s not served at weddings but is rather a “marriage” of ingredients that balance beautifully together.

This hearty soup is perfect for chilly days when you want something both nourishing and satisfying.

These one-bite, egg bites are quicky, easy, flexible, freeze well, reheat well … almost too good to be true.

This smoky corn chowder is simple but feels luxurious.

Sometimes simple is the best, and that’s certainly true of this easy, nutritious dish. If you want it as a meal, I’d add some hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, and a bit of feta to get some protein in there.