Learn all about canning and preserving. This section covers perserving and making cheese; chutneys, relishes, fruit butters; flavored vinegar, jam, marmalades; and pickling and fermentation.
Why make freezer jam? The answer is simple — fresh peach flavor. Unlike cooked preserves, this jam captures the pure, sunny sweetness of ripe peaches at their peak. Spread a spoonful on a biscuit or slice of toast and you’ll taste the difference immediately. It’s quick to make, requires no canning equipment, and freezes beautifully...Read More
These Easy Pickled Beets are a timeless favorite—bright, tangy, and naturally sweet. They’re delicious served alongside roasted meats, added to salads, or enjoyed straight from the jar. This simple recipe brings out the earthy sweetness of fresh beets with a warm hint of spice from cloves and allspice. Ready in under an hour, they’re a...Read More
This treasured pickled beet recipe was shared by an elderly farmer’s wife, and it’s been a yearly canning tradition ever since. The combination of earthy, tender beets with a sweet-and-tangy clove-scented brine captures the taste of summer in every jar. Beautiful on the pantry shelf and bursting with deep ruby color, these beets add warmth,...Read More
Pickled peaches are a Southern classic that captures summer’s sweetness with a tangy, spiced twist. Tender peaches are simmered in a fragrant syrup of vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves—creating a preserve that’s both nostalgic and surprisingly versatile. Their sweet-tart flavor pairs beautifully with grilled pork, roasted chicken, or charcuterie boards, and they add an elegant accent...Read More
Imagine waking up to the cozy aroma of apples, cinnamon, and spice filling your kitchen. This overnight Crock Pot Apple Butter makes it possible! Simply toss the apples and spices into your slow cooker before bed, and by morning you’ll have a rich, velvety spread that tastes like fall in a jar. Perfect on warm...Read More
This Ginger Pear jam combines the gentle sweetness of ripe pears with the bright zing of fresh ginger for a spread that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Perfect on toast, scones, or swirled into yogurt, it also makes an elegant appetizer when spooned over goat cheese and served with crackers or fruit. Try brushing...Read More
Also known as Feijoa, pineapple guava is a fragrant fruit with a sweet-tart flavor that shines in preserves and condiments. Available in early fall at our local farmers markets, it makes a uniquely delicious chutney when paired with apples, onions, curry spices, and raisins. The result is a tangy-sweet, gently spiced condiment that complements roasted...Read More
This Quince Chutney captures the essence of autumn in every spoonful. Fragrant quinces are gently simmered with citrus, warm spices, and golden raisins until tender and jewel-like, creating a rich, tangy preserve that’s both sweet and aromatic. Perfect with roast pork, lamb, or chicken, it also shines on cheese boards or spread over crusty bread....Read More
Prevedelli Farms, a beloved family farm in Watsonville, has been growing apples on the Central Coast for generations. Their apple butter recipe captures the essence of autumn, slow-cooked with cider and warm spices until it’s velvety smooth and richly flavored. Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or pair it with cheese for a...Read More
This Spicy Cranberry Chutney transforms the classic holiday condiment into something extraordinary. Bursting with tart cranberries, sweet dates, currants, and crystallized ginger, it’s layered with aromatic spices, a splash of cider vinegar, and a touch of cayenne for gentle heat. Finished with toasted almonds for texture and richness, this chutney is the perfect balance of...Read More