Preserves And Pickles

Preserves and pickles are the added extra in life, the relish to the meal, the fruity kick to your morning toast, the squidgy filling in your cake, and the sweet hit that makes afternoon tea such a treat. You only have to look on the shelves of the smartest delicatessens to see that making jams and jellies hasnever been so popular, with flavors and combinations that range from the traditional tried-and-tested recipes to the more adventurous and exotic. Jam and jelly-making and food preservation have always been an important household craft and an essential part of the culinary calendar. Here Gloria Nicol offers 25 recipes to make the most of a glut, when fruits and vegetables are at their best and their cheapest—whether you cultivate your own produce, set out on pick-your-own expeditions, or shop at the local farmers' market. Inessence, this is a great way of appreciating the seasons and capturing times of plenty in a bottle; that moment when you twist the lid and pop open the seal on the jar releases a glorious memory of a bountiful time.• Includes all the basic techniques and equipment information you will need.• Recipes range from traditional favorites to classics with a twist, and new combinations of ingredients.• At-home preserving continues to be trendy—sales of Jarden Corporation's Ball Glass canning jars are up 10 percent in 2010, after an increase of 30 percent from 2008 to 2009.