Why? Because you can! And pickle, and jam, or otherwise celebrate the resurgence of the domestic arts our forebears held so dear. Put on your best apron and step into our kitchen, won't you?
You can make wonderful jams with sweet cherries. The key is to add something that offsets the sweetness. Last year I made some Cherry-Lime Jam, this year it is this sweet jam with a touch of sharp ginger.
Strawberries. The first real sign that summer, and summer canning, will soon be here. ...while lemon juice is most commonly used for acid in strawberry jam, lime enhances both strawberry and mango flavors, so lime juice it was.
Pickled vegetables are a great way to jazz up your meals, especially in the late winter, early spring time when the grocery store vegetables are looking a little worse for the wear. Pickles have other benefits too.
Canning mixed fruit is easy and makes a great beginner project. It provides you with a taste of summer all year, and can easily be adapted to what you have on hand. This time I had beautiful, BIG, nectarines
Cherries and lime are excellent flavor partners. Lime’s tartness cuts cherry’s sweetness, enhancing the flavor of both. The texture here is similar to a marmalade or preserve.
I love using honey in my sweet spreads. Honey adds a mellowness that can’t be found when using sugar alone. Be sure to use a mild flavored honey here as we still want the lemon flavor to shine through.