Pressure Canning Dried Beans / Peas / Lentils

Step 1: (Optional) Soak Beans / Peas / Lentils - 1 C per each Quart or ½ C per each Pint - My Presto No. 21AV holds 7 Quart jars [7 C dried beans] or 18 Pint jars [9 C dried beans]. - Place dried beans in a large pot and cover with water. - Add 2 Tbsp of Lemon Juice or Vinegar. - Soak 12 to 18 + hours in a cool place. - Drain & Rinse using a colander. Step 2: Prepare Jars - Run clean jars through dishwasher; (leave them in there to steam until ready to fill). - Place canning lids into a pan of just-boiled water; keep there until ready to use. - Pour 2 qt* hot water in pressure canner. (*Fill according to your canner's instructions) - Fill all jars equally with beans and then add hot water until there's 1 inch left at the top. - Add salt if desired (1 tsp per each Quart / ½ C tsp per each Pint ((??). - Wipe around jar rims with a clean, damp dishrag or paper towel. - Place a lid on each jar with a ring and finger-tighten with one hand until jar spins on counter. - Place jars into pressure canner, not touching each other. Step 3: Process Jars - Place lid securely on the canner by lining up the ARROW on the lid with OPEN & CLOSED on the pot. - Turn on heat to HIGH. - Wait until a steady stream of steam vents out of the petcock for 7–10 minutes. - Close the petcock and allow pressure to build up to desired pressure (13 – 15 psi for Idaho). (My cooker reads 2.5 too high so 15.5–17.5 psi for mine in ID.) - Reduce heat to stabilize pressure between {13–15 / 15.5–17.5} and keep it there for 90 mins for Quarts / 75 mins for Pints. (On the big front burner of my stove, pressure stabilizes right between the W in LOW and the straight line between LOW & MED.) Step 4: Cool & Store - After timer goes off, turn off stove and allow canner to cool COMPLETELY before releasing gauge & opening lid. - Carefully transfer jars to a wood surface to cool in a non-drafty area, not touching each other. - Each lid should "pop" as it seals. After this, remove rings, wipe, date / mark lids and store jars.