There are primitive ways of preserving brains that I haven't tried, like mixing brains with moss and letting them dry in doughnuts. But the easiest thing for me to do right now is to can the brains, which works great.
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| Canned Brains |
Depending on the hide I want to tan I usually use between 2/3 and 1 pint of brains so I can them in pint-sized jars so I don't have to worry about preserving them again once the seal is broken (they'll keep for a few days in the fridge though).
If you can meats that you want to eat it is very strongly suggested that you use a pressure canner to eliminate all the potential harmful microorganisms. Considering that I don't have a pressure canner, that I'm not going to eat the brains, and that I have a wood stove that can keep a pot boiling for hours, I'm not that concerned about it and I can the brains in a water bath.
But because I usually deal with brains without gloves on I also don't want to foolishly expose myself to contaminated brains so I keep the water at a roiling boil for four hours and I've never had any problems.
For the rest, just follow the directions generally posted at the bottom of the box of the canning jars. Make sure the brains are thawed out before putting the jars into the simmering water or the jars may break because of the difference in temperature. Leave about an inch at the top of each jar because the brains will expand with the heat. After they have been boiled for four hours, let them stand in the water for 5 minutes then remove them from it and let them cool upright. After 12 hours make sure that all the jars have sealed properly. 12 pounds of brains will fit in 14 pint jars.
I have brains that were canned two years ago and they're still fine so I'm guessing they will keep for years.
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