Preserving the Seasons is a must-have guide for anyone looking to embrace the art of food preservation. Holly Capelle has created a resource that is not only approachable and well-organized but also rich with practical knowledge. Whether you're a beginner eager to try your hand at canning or a seasoned preserver looking to expand your methods, this book delivers.

Organized by technique—boiling water canning, dehydrating, freeze-drying, infusing, freezing, and quick pickling—each section walks readers through the steps with clear, concise instructions. The inclusion of troubleshooting tips and best practices adds real value, making it a dependable go-to for anyone preserving at home.

What makes this book truly shine is how it connects the preservation process to everyday cooking. Holly doesn’t just teach you how to preserve—she shows you how to enjoy what you've made. With creative, flavorful recipes like Black Pepper Plum Jam, Rosemary Citrus Bundt Cake, and Quick Pickled Pepper Slices, she brings preserved ingredients into real-life meals in a way that feels both exciting and achievable.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this incredible resource.. I’m excited to recommend it to others who are ready to preserve the seasons in their own homes.

I love how this book is broken down by season! It can get overwhelming and difficult to find season-specific recipes so I really appreciated this set up. This book also includes so many great recipes, ideas, and explanations. It feels like a masterclass on season preservation and would be highly beneficial to both beginners and experts.

Nowadays when we are trying to be more sustainable with our food and purchsing, this is a great reference. I have no idea where I will get a lot of these items to preserve, but if i ever do, I am ready!

Fantastic books that covers all the ways to preserve things. From freezing to freeze drying one can find all in here to help with it. The recipes are also wonderful and helpful to have around.

With Today's Prices, You Need This Book! I have been canning vegetables and fruit for at least 40 years now. Mostly using the methods and recipes taught to me by my mother and aunts, as well as my trusty BALL canning book. I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I'm very glad that I did!
Capelle has packed her book with information. The freezing section gave me a lot of tips that I was unaware of. The pickling section had some new recipes for me to try. I've been wanting to expand into dehydrating, and am much more confident knowing her tips now. I have been water bath canning for years, but have been convinced to try some new recipes by the book. And I have never tried freeze-drying or making infusions, but thanks to the author, I am going to give these techniques a go.
All in all, the book is well written, with easy to understand descriptions and recipes. I am ordering a hard copy of it, to put on the shelf with my BALL canning book.

I received an ARC of this cookbook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book. I was expecting it to feature one or two options for how to preserve food, but instead it has a variety of different options. The directions are clear and easy to understand. This book would make a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to learn about all the different ways of preserving food!

I really enjoyed this book and it reminded me of my childhood canning with my mom and grandma. I really recommend this book as it has some really good information in it.

Preserving the Seasons is a straightforward guide to preserving techniques. From freezing to canning, this book has suggested so many great tips and tricks for how to get the most out of your produce and to eliminate waste. I can't tell you how many times I've scoured Pinterest for an easy guide like this telling me what to freeze and how to best do it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Capelle, & Simon Element for the ARC!

This was great! Fantastic photos and full of amazing information. A must have for home gardeners or really anyone who wants to make the summer last just that little bit longer.

The copy I received makes the book pretty much unreadable. It’s out of order, with random pieces of recipes, or topics pulled apart, incomplete sentences, grammar missing or spelling errors., or suddenly huge pictures appearing with no labeling or explanation as to what it’s in reference to.


I’m hoping this isn’t ready to go to print in this condition and don’t feel it’s fair to post a review on any of the threads, or websites I publish to.

I’m disappointed because the topics contained in this book held great interest and information that I would’ve loved to have read.

If a more accurate version becomes available, I’d be happy to reconsider posting at that time.

Without posting at least one star, it doesn’t allow the review to go through, so unfortunately I’ve had to rate it at a 1.

Beautiful and brilliant! This was not just a book on different ways to preserve food, but a way to inspire preservation of food and how to use it. The photographs truly show how the gorgeous the items were that were being discussed. Plus, broke everything down to where anyone could follow along and have success in recreating what was shown. The Author was very considerate and showed how to fix issues that may arise. That is beyond helpful to anyone trying to preserve food. The journal in the back for notes was a magnificent idea as well. This allows the reader to keep details on items that they have tried and what they wish to do different next time, to add their own flare on it. The recipes were a fantastic addition and how to use the items that were preserved. The only thing I think that could be a bit different for the book would be to add something, such as a picture, to the large blank areas in the chapter pages. Just to give it a bit of a pop. Lastly, the acknowledgments. That hits the soul. You can feel the love that was poured into this book and what it means.

🦇🦇🦇🦇 4-Bat Review: Preserving the Seasons by Holly Capelle

Okay, so this might not be one of my usual witchy, gothic reads — but hear me out: this book is pure kitchen magic. My little cottage-witch heart adored every moment of learning how to jar, can, dry, infuse, and preserve the bounty of each season like the practical enchantress I aspire to be.

From jams and pickles to fruit leathers, seasoning blends, dried herbs, freeze-dried goodies, and even soup and salad recipes — this book had everything. The infusion section? Probably my favorite. That’s where the spells really started to brew.

It’s gorgeously laid out, packed with stunning photos, and reads like the kind of grimoire your grandmother might have passed down — if your grandmother was an herbal alchemist with a killer pantry game. A lovely reference guide and how-to manual for anyone looking to stretch the seasons a little longer, one jar at a time.

#PreservingTheSeasons #NetGalley #WitchyInTheKitchen #CottagecoreReads #PreservationMagic #BookOfPracticalSpells

This was a great cookbook. Very easy-to-follow recipes. I can't wait to try these recipes. I would highly recommend this book.

Canning and preserving have always been a traditional craft in communities where the processes were taught from one generation to the next. The pandemic brought home the fact that some of the old ways could be useful in this era. Holly Capelle's book contains information that can be used by some one just starting the adventure or someone looking to expand their skills. Clear guidance and beautiful photography provides the support everyone can use. The recipes make me want to get my pots and jars out and get to work. I learned a small amount of training when I was young(er). With help from this and other books, I've expanded my skills and improved my family's quality of life while saving money. If any of these is on your to do list, PRESERVING THE SEASONS deserves a spot in your cokking library.

Preserving the Seasons was a very interesting and informative book. There is an enormous amount of information about different methods of preserving foods and goods. Not only is there information on how to can, freeze, freeze-dry, dehydrate food, there are also large amounts of recipes for after the items are preserved. This is a complete book on how to preserve and use food. As a gardener one of my largest issues is how to properly save and store the food I grow. With this book I have all of the information I could possibly want on the topic. The instructions are clear and thorough. The book is well-organized. Overall, I think this book is a must have for every household. It would also make a great gift. I would recommend this book.

Quick Summary: An inspired how-to & why-you-should-practice "preserving the seasons" book

My Review: Preserving the Seasons: A Guide to Canned, Jammed, Frozen, Dehydrated, Freeze-Dried, Quick-Pickled, and Infused Produce, Herbs, and Flowers (A Cookbook) by Holly Capelle is a 2025 release from Simon Element. It is scheduled for publication on 7/29/25.

About the Book: "...a straightforward guide to boiling water canning, drying, dehydrating, freeze-drying, infusing, freezing, and quick pickling."

In My Own Words: This!!! It is an incredibly comprehensive tool that is jam-packed with goodness on everything one needs to know about preserving the seasons via canning, jamming, freezing, dehydrating, freeze-drying, pickling, infusing, and combining. It is my dream book come to life.

My Favorites: Every yummy thing!

But seriously...

Culinary Powders
Canning Jams and Jellies
Quick Pickling
Infused Vinegars
Edible Flowers

What I Cannot Wait to Make:

Zucchini Bundt Cake
Orange Glaze
Avocado Garden Toast
Garden Quiche
Totally Twisted Yogurt
Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup
Fresh Pea Soup
Rosemary Candied Bacon
Wild Violet Peppercorn Vinaigrette
Honey-Garlic Glaze
Garden Focaccia
Botanical Candy Bars
North Pole Hot Chocolate with Whipped Toppers
Holiday and Colorful Fruit Ice Cubes

My Final Say: I am overjoyed about this book. It is a must have item that should be on everyone's Christmas List, Birthday Wish List, and maybe even Valentine's Day Chef's Kiss List.

There was so much to love about this book. Holly opened my mind up to the possibilities of what could be. Going through it got me excited about creating masterpieces featuring the colors and flavors of life. In truth, her approach to preserving the seasons reminded me of With Love, Meghan. (Watch it, if you haven't. It's lovely and charming...just like this book. I would love to see these two create something magical together.) The attention to detail and the pop of personal delights just adds to the experience and "elevates" the simple, making it extraordinary.

I genuinely appreciated the troubleshooting information, the helpful tips, the various recipes, and the colorful photos. I also loved the heartwarming nuances of family and home life that were sprinkled in. It made the content more relatable.

Other: This cookbook will delight readers of all levels. From the beginner to the advanced - anyone will undoubtedly be stirred up and energized to preserve the seasons.

* I think this book would provide a great family bonding experience. It's ripe with opportunities to teach, learn, and grow together.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Hard Copy Preferred: Yes!
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note: I could easily see this content in a series of books, videos, or even as a Food Network show. Because the material is so inspiring, it motivates others to try something new and different; it also encourages those who may be more familiar with these concepts to up their game. Can you imagine?! To build a community of followers who want to preserve the season is genius.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Simon Element | S&S/Simon Element), and to NetGalley. Thank you, from my heart, for providing access to this remarkable title in exchange for an honest critique. It was an absolute pleasure to review this work. Not only am I thrilled that I had a chance to read it, but I am also very much looking forward to securing a hard copy for my own personal library, once the book is officially released.

This book has reinforced my want for a food dehydrator. Loved the tips, recipes, and bright pictures.

This book could not have come at a better time for us! We recently bought a dehydrator, as we are campers and are in our kayaks nine months out of the year.

Carrying fresh fruits is messy and not the best after they turn brown or mushy. We have tried apples, strawberries, lemons and oranges so far but this lovely book has expanded our knowledge.

Storage was particularly of interest to me. If you have a question, I think this book will answer any questions you have.

Very well done! Excellent reference book.

NetGalley/ Simon Element July 29, 2025