It’s been a while since we’ve put a posting up about preserving – the Canadian winter certainly limits options to create new preserves (although it is certainly possible) and it’s more about consuming than creating and making new preserves…or so I thought.

Preserving is the closest thing we have to time travel.  It’s an amazing process that allows the tastes of summer and fall to be transported to us many months later.  An honest to goodness home made peach jam will taste like the ream thing – far fresher and “peachy” than what you can buy at a grocery store in the middle of winter.  Peaches like jars better than the back of transport trucks after all!

I am fairly obsessive once I commit to something.  In fairness to those around me I should probably rephrase that and simply state that I am completely obsessive (usually in a sort of somewhat sweet kind of way).  My first real go at solo preserving resulted in 17 different batches of jams, pickles and other goodies.  I simply adore it.

Once fall had ended, I thought that I was done – the 17 sets of treats I had were what I had and would be all I would try in the winter.  I’ve found this to be dreadfully wrong.  In the last 3 months I have been showered with generous gifts from friends, lovers and other strangers.  Apple Sauce, apple butter, relish, pepper jelly, ginger jelly,salsa, relishes, jalapeno “juice”  and on and  on.  My 17 flavors have become closer to 50 – all made by hand and with love.

A photo of one of the gifts is above – a wonderful Apple Jelly (I have yet to try but planning to brine some pork with it already) from Julie and Dale.  Julie made a whole gift pack for me full of wonderful treats that warm the soul and I am so thankful for.  I have tried a few samples and each time I have the pleasure I am transported to the fall and to her house on that day that I wasn’t there.

One of the hidden pleasures of preserving is the community and sharing with others that come with it.  I invite you to join – and I’ll be making larger batches next year so I can share even more.