If there’s one thing I love to do, it’s preserve each season. Whether you have a garden that grows fresh fruits and vegetables, or you frequent your farmer’s market for bulk produce that’s discounted at the end of each market, there is always enough seasonal ingredients to preserve. Summer’s best strawberries, stone fruit, tomatoes of all shapes and varieties, greens and herbs, plus sweet and hot peppers make the best pickles, jams, compotes and sauces to utilize in the fall and winter months.
Classic canning may seem a little cumbersome, but you don’t necessarily have to go that route, and you can store preserved foods in either your refrigerator, or freezer for longer term. Plastic bags that lay flat in your freezer are much easier to store, but if you’re the type that needs a jar, freezer jars are specifically made for this purpose. The best part about making freezer jams and preserves is that they are so easy to prepare, and you get to reminisce prior seasonal ingredients during the months ahead.
Here are just a few of my favorite things to preserve. You can always substitute other fresh berries or fruits for some of my combinations, and feel free to swap out any variety of tomatoes that you may get your hands on. Preserving summer is just so fun, and this long weekend ahead may provide a little extra time to do so.
No Comments