Category Archives: preserving

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Jam

Our fingers are permanently stained pink. So are our mouths. Strawberry season is drawing to a close here in southern Wisconsin. What looked to be a fantastic season was hampered by days and days of soaking rains. While farmers were able to pick a fair amount to sell, the season was shortened and the u-pick […]

Rhubarb Fruit Leather

Whenever I’m feeling down because my floor is covered with cat hair and dirt, my laundry is piled up to the ceiling, or I haven’t made a blog entry in ALMOST A MONTH, I make sure I take inventory of my pantry. Homemade granola bars on top of the fridge, chicken stock and cooked beans […]

Quick Pickled Beets

Preserving the harvest continues. I had forgotten about one lonely row of beets. Despite the jungle of weeds, they persisted. They were chiogga beets, which have the most lovely pink and white spirals. Although the stripes don’t withstand pickling, they have the advantage of turning the pickling liquid a daring magenta (in lieu of the […]

Ode to the Quick Pickle

I love a good pickle. Sweet, spicy, garlicky, tart, live fermented…I haven’t met a pickle I don’t like, regardless of my pregnancy status. Making your own pickles at home is wonderful–not only will you get that smug Super Domestic Goddess feeling as you don your cute little apron to toss together some incredible snacks, but […]

Pomegranate Clove Applesauce

Applesauce is a classic, perfect kid food. We prefer unsweetened and organic – and that gets pricey. A quart typically costs about $4. The good news? Applesauce is incredibly easy to make, and if you can find an afternoon to do some canning, you can have your own perfect applesauce for a little over $1/quart. […]