Here are the four runners-up in America's Ultimate Strawberry Jam contest at the 2012 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year. Sandra Lee was the guest of honor at the KOTY opening gala and had absolutely nothing to do with the contest but she sure takes a nice picture. (Since I don't kiss and tell I can't tell you how we said good bye -- twice!) HONEY STRAWBERRY JAM by … [Read more...]
ZUCCHINI AND CORN RELISH
ZUCCHINI AND CORN RELISH Makes 14 8 oz. jars or 7 16 oz. (pint) jars 8 c. shredded zucchini (use the largest grating setting; 4 large zucchini) ½ c. kosher salt 4 c. fresh corn kernels (3 ears) 2 c. chopped red peppers (3 peppers) 1 jalapeno, finely minced 1 large white onion, shredded 4 c. shredded cabbage (1/2 of a small head) 1 ½ c. white vinegar 1 c. … [Read more...]
ZUCCHINI BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES
Bread and Butter Pickles are prized for their sweet and sour tang. I suppose because the only thing else you’ll need is some bread and butter and voila! Lunch. (At least that’s my guess.) ZUCCHINI BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES Makes 16 cups or 8 pints of pickles 16 c. zucchini sliced into 1/8” disks (about 12 regular sized) 4 c. thinly sliced white onions (about 2 … [Read more...]
10 TIPS FOR HAPPY CANNING
Gwyneth Paltrow's greatest joy is her backyard wood-burning oven, "A luxury, I know, but it's one of the best investments I've ever made." We don't always agree but this time I know just how Gwyneth feels! I too have a luxury that's one of the best investments I've ever made. Although in my case it's not an artisan crafted heritage organic stone oven hand handmade … [Read more...]
GOOSEBERRY AND RASPBERRY JAM
Do Brits contract berries to two syllables as some form of cultural superiority thing? RASP-bries, STRAAW-bries, GOOOOSE-bries and such. No matter, it's a minor affectation when uttered from us Yanks, so of course I'm all for it. Gooseberries have proven elusive out here on the easternmost reaches of Long Island. Luckily the proliferation of all things locavore, heritage … [Read more...]
NUTTY BLONDE CHERRY JAM
This recipe for Nutty Blonde Cherry Jam is lighthearted and lovable, the small bits of sweet candied almond bits providing an off-kilter eccentricity that makes it all the more adorable. And after all, blondes do have more fun -- blonde cherries included. As for flavor, it's akin to Alicia Silverstone's analysis of her hit film Clueless: "I think that … [Read more...]
PENULTIMATE STRAWBERRY JAM
The window of opportunity for this recipe for Ultimate Strawberry Jams is rather narrow -- the tiny wild strawberries are an early summer phenomenon, and prime local strawberry season only runs to mid-summer as well. This is when the farm stands of just-picked beauties are at their best. And for an ultimate jam, only the best will do. And what better way … [Read more...]
GOOD AND EVIL CARROT PICKLES
The "good" in this pickle is a creidt to the noble carrot -- so healthy! The "evil" lurking within is ultra-hot habañero peppers. The cheery red color of the slender pepper slices look oh so innocent, rolled up as they are in the centers of the pretty little carrot flowers. And with the sweet pickling solution their incendiary flavor doesn't reveal itself right away. But like … [Read more...]
THRIFTY ASPARAGUS PICKLES: TARRAGON ASPARAGUS PICKLES AND SPICY ASPARAGUS SPEARS
Picklers, non-picklers and thinking people everywhere understand that vegetables must be trimmed to fit the jars in which they're to be pickled. It's no big deal if you're, say slicing kirbys which handily cram into tight spaces or pre-salting strips of peppers and onions, which soften into pliant tangles that fill jars with efficient ease. This recipe for thrifty asparagus … [Read more...]
MEDITERRANEAN MARINATED MUSHROOMS
Astute readers will notice that this recipe for Mediterranean Marinated Mushrooms was briefly posted a couple of weeks ago. Turns out this is not a good candidate for shelf-stable canning. Thankfully Eugenia Bone, author of Well Preserved and Mycophilia, hence an expert on the topic twice over, helps me from offering canning recipes that have potentially unpleasant (or worse) … [Read more...]