In autumn I find myself drawn to the displays of fresh seasonal plums, adoring their shape and colors. Strawberries are my spring darlings, blueberries are our summer sweet, and plums are my fall favorite, a delight that my boys enjoy as much as I do. I brought home a few bags of plums last week [...]
Tomato Jam (Doce de Tomate)
August 18, 2009 By 26 Comments
It’s rich and complex, not your average tomato jam. The cinnamon and cloves spice it up, but the ruby port makes all the difference between an average jam and a memorable jam. It’s good by itself on toast, crackers, or baguette slices, and even better with sheep or goat cheese. The recipe comes from the [...]
Mint Apple Jelly
November 1, 2008 By 4 Comments
The mint bush continues to thrive, even with some killing frosts in the past two weeks, which just amazes me. Supposedly the plants grow best in wet soil with partial sunlight, though this bush has grown in a south-facing garden with full sun and has far exceeded my expectations. I have to trim it frequently [...]
Pickled Green Tomatoes
October 27, 2008 By 46 Comments
The more we grow our own food, the more I understand and appreciate farmers, especially how their lives can revolve around harvesting. As the cold temperatures creep in, I find myself pulled into the garden, collecting what is left of our summer herbs and vegetables, and then back into the kitchen as we preserve what [...]
Jalapeno Jelly
October 7, 2008 By 15 Comments
The jalapeño plant is holding its own in a jungle of grape tomatoes, bell peppers, and tomatillos. Even caged, the plants around it spread so much they lay over it, and most of the time I have to go under the deck to reach the spicy little gems. The plant is about three feet tall [...]
SHF #22: Sweet Red Pepper Jelly
August 24, 2006 By 29 Comments
This month’s Sugar High Friday is hosted by Delicious Days and the theme is canning. I enjoy canning fruit jellies and jams as well as hot pepper jelly, but this sweet pepper jelly has to be my favorite. It’s a little sweet and a little tart and has the consistency of honey, a nice combination. [...]
Home Canning (Boiling Water Method)
August 7, 2006 By 39 Comments
Canning fruits and vegetables runs in my veins, though it took me many years to admit it. My paternal grandmother had an area in the basement where she kept all of her home-canned goods, including pickles, green beans, apple butter, tomatoes, tomato juice, jams, and jellies. My mother canned vegetables, jams, and jellies practically every [...]
