Ot - Anyone ever can turkey?

 I get a free turkey every year from the supermarket (I spend so much I usually get two LOL), and then they sit in my freezer until I give them away. Right now I have three 20-22 lbs turkeys that are in my way.

One is currently in my oven cooking for dinner, but we are only six people and can only eat so much turkey LOL So I was thinking about canning the leftovers, I have watched a few videos on it and it seems as easy as doing my tomatoes and greenbeans, but just wanted to see if anyone has any advice or tips and tricks, things I should avoid or watch for or things I SHOULD do. 

Thanks! 

I know nothing about canning but I do use the ziplock freezer bags like crazy. They have ones that come with a pump to remove the air and give a tight seal ($2.98 for the pump). I divide my left overs up in 2 oz portions in the bags and use the pump to air seal them in then label them. They come in very handy!!

 Hee hee, that is my issue I just don't have the room in the freezer. As fast as the 22 lbs of turkey came out of the freezer this morning, that is how fast the space where it was filled up LOL We have friends who are hunters and farmers, and I barter with them for goods. So I had about 14 lbs of venison sausage and about 10lbs of homemade butter just waiting for that space in the freezer this mornining. 

If I could get some of it out of the freezer and onto the shelves it would be a HUGE help. Maybe I need to stop bartering for a bit until we eat what we have, but it's the perfect seasion for some things and I can't resist a good trade LOL

 My boyfriend's family has the same issue, but they have 3 chest freezers full of meat. Two for game meat, venison, bear, elk etc. The other for steaks and burgers, since they raise their own steers for selling and eating. 

Would you be opposed to turkey jerky? Personally I love jerky because I can just chew on it for awhile when I'm hungry and it help curb cravings. It would help get the meat out of the freezer and would add a low calorie snack for anytime. 

 hmmm, turkey jerkey, that sounds pretty good (I buy it all the time!). I am off to research that a bit, see if I have what I need to make it! Thanks so much for the idea!

You don't put up meats and veggies like you do fruits and tomatoes.    Things like tomatoes are fine to can in a water bath becuase they have a high acid content that retards spoilage.   Meats and non-acid tomatoes must be canned in a pressure canner.   If you don't have one, don't try it...it isn't worth the risk. 

 I do all my green beans, carrots, corn and squash in my pressure cannner, so I am familiar with the process, I have just never ventured into meats b/c it seemed like it would be more work. But from what I am reading its not that different really then the other stuff. 

I think I am going to eat and share the turkey I am cooking today, and then next week pressure cook and can one of the other ones and see how it goes. If it does not come off like I hope, I can always just make the kids take turkey sandwiches for lunch for a week LOL

LOL about the sandwiches. 

I can offer another solution..you ship all that venison sausage to me and I will "store'  it for  you in my freezer.  :)

 If you where closer I would totally barter with you for it LOL It's not my fave, but the kids like it and its a great way to stretch a meal (when you are feeding half a dozen to a dozen people every night, you gotta find a way to do that or go broke!). 

Seriously, if you have a Grange near you contact them and see if they have any hunters who are willing to barter for meat. I traded 4 loaves of fresh homemade bread, 2 pints of home canned apple sauce and 2 pints of homemade apple-butter for that meat and butter (and since this is someone I trade with often, I will get all my jars back!). Not a bad trade at all! 

I have also traded web design, house cleaning, baby/dog sitting, hand sewn or knitted clothing and even home appliances for meat, eggs, butter, honey, syrup and cheese!  In the summer I grow veggies and fruit and trade them for things I need for the kids. It's sick how much I enjoy a good trade LOL

Canning meat is much more dicey than canning vegetables.  The time involved, even if you are using a pressure canner, is much greater.  Also, the risks are greater as well should you consume meat not processed correctly.  Use a food saver to seal leftovers for freezing.