Food Preservation Classes

Please see our Class Recordings and Resources below.

Ask A Master Food Preserver

Date: Mondays, July 14 - December 8, 2025
Time: 6 - 7 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Hosted By: NMSU Master Food Preserver Online Delivery Program

Held the second Monday of the month, volunteers specializing in freezing, dehydrating, canning, and food safety will be available to answer your questions and share their tips so you can safely and successfully preserve food at home. Download the Ask An MFP Flyer (PDF).

Pumpkin Party: Preserve Fall’s Favorite Squash Safely!

  • Date: Oct. 13
  • To register, click Register for Pumpkin Party. If you are unable to register online, please call (505) 243-1386 to register.

Cranberry Craze: Tart, Tangy, and Timeless Sauce!

  • Date: Nov. 10
  • To register, click Register for Cranberry Craze. If you are unable to register online, please call (505) 243-1386 to register.

Sauerkraut Showdown: Fermenting Made Easy!

MFP Logo of a head of lettuce, bun, and a jar of jelly
MFP Jar Logo of a red chile and books inside of a jar

Preserving Red Chile Webinar Series

Date: Tuesdays, Sep. 9, 16, and 23, 2025
Time: 4 - 5:30 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Deadline: Sep. 5 at 5 PM
Hosted By: Bernalillo and Valencia CES

Join us for this Zoom workshop series dedicated to preserving the rich, bold flavor of New Mexico red chile. Download the Red Chile Flyer (PDF).

To register, click Register for Red Chile Webinar. If you are unable to register online, please call (505) 243-1386 to register.

Course Descriptions

Sep. 9: Making and Storing NM Red Chile Sauce

Join us for the first session of our Zoom workshop series dedicated to preserving the rich, bold flavor of New Mexico red chile. In this virtual class, you’ll learn how to make traditional red chile sauce from dried pods, plus techniques for freezing and long-term storage to enjoy the taste of New Mexico year-round.

Whether you’re new to working with red chile or looking to refine your preservation skills, this session offers step-by-step guidance, tips on equipment and storage safety, and answers to your chile-related questions.

Sep. 16: Canning Red Chile Safely – Quality, Methods & Safety Essentials

Take your preservation skills to the next level with our second virtual workshop, focused on canning safety and quality control for New Mexico red chile. In this session, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of canning chile, including current food safety guidelines, approved methods, and common mistakes to avoid.

You’ll gain the confidence to preserve your homemade red chile safely while maintaining the rich flavor and vibrant color that makes New Mexico chile so iconic.

Sep. 23: Dehydrating Red Chile – Jerky, Powders & Creative Uses

Wrap up our red chile preservation series with a flavorful and fun exploration of dehydration techniques and inventive recipes using New Mexico red chile. In this final session, we’ll dive into drying methods, how to make your own chile seasoning salts and even how to create chile-infused snacks like red chile jerky.

Learn how to capture the essence of New Mexico chile in lightweight, shelf-stable forms perfect for gifting, cooking, or spicing up your pantry year-round.

Master Food Preserver Program (MFP) Applications

Applications for the Master Food Preserver Program (MFP) will open Oct. 1. Hosted by Bernalillo County Extension Service in collaboration with the Sandoval, Valencia, and McKinley Counties.

Apply Now!

Deadline: Dec. 1 at 5 PM

Class Recordings

Smoke to Science Workshop

Date: July 9, 2025

In this engaging and empowering class, you'll learn not only how people have kept food safe for millennia, but also how to interpret and apply modern food safety science to your own kitchen. Presented by Chef Ona Lee from Clara's Canning Company.



Resources

If unable to view the recording above, please refer to this link: Smoke to Science.

Tomato Bonanza: Can, Dry, and Savor Summer’s Finest!

Date: July 14, 2025



Resources

If unable to view the recording above, please refer to this link: Tomato Bonanza.

Spice It Up: Chile Preservation for Bold Flavors!

Date: August 11, 2025



Resources

If unable to view the recording above, please refer to this link: Spice It Up.

Bean Bonanza: Preserve the Protein-Packed Harvest!

Date: Sep. 8

Class recording and resources coming soon!