Category Archives: preserving

9.1.14 Labor Day

Posted on September 3, 2014 by diary of a tomato

The summer’s been full of unexpected changes, with the garden remaining the one constant, providing comfort and moments of joy. Thank-you to all who’ve asked about our absence — as we sort things out, we’ll be posting when we are able. Though we cannot foretell … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, garden, preserving, tomatoes / pomodorini | 13 Comments

Putting Up: Quick Pickled Asparagus + Preserving Round-Up

Posted on May 23, 2014 by diary of a tomato

It may be the result of a late spring or that many local farmers are now growing it, but for the first time there’s enough asparagus around to consider putting some of it up. After considering our options (see Resources: Preserving Asparagus below), we decided … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Putting Up: Victorian Barbecue Sauce + Rhubarb Ketchup

Posted on May 16, 2014 by diary of a tomato

The rhubarb was so late coming up this spring, we thought they hadn’t survived the harsh winter and bought a back-up plant just in case. So when they finally did appear in the garden this week, it hardly seemed fair to have a … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Putting Up: Beet Pickled Quail Eggs

Posted on March 19, 2014 by diary of a tomato

These Beet Pickled Quail Eggs, cheerfully tinted pink, are like a grown-up version of dyeing eggs for Easter. We first encountered these when a farmer friend, who was expanding into raising quail, started experimenting with pickling their eggs. Ever since … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

1.13.14 Taking Stock

Posted on January 14, 2014 by diary of a tomato

The Seacoast is well-populated with farmers’ markets, even in the depths of winter. Given the vagaries of New England weather, though, we can’t always make it to them at this time of year. In the past couple of weeks alone, we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in preserving, tomatoes / pomodorini | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Putting Up: Red Pepper Ristras

Posted on November 13, 2013 by diary of a tomato

We often keep strands of dried peppers, called ristras, hanging in the kitchen, however, it wasn’t until we were faced with a bushel of them that we had the chance to make our own. Beyond the cultural mash-up of making … Continue reading →

Posted in garden, preserving | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Putting Up: Update on Ball’s BPA-Free Lids

Posted on November 7, 2013 by diary of a tomato

One of the ways of identifying Ball’s BPA-free lids from older versions is by the “Made in USA” printed on the lid. As a reader recently asked, what about their more decorative lids? Ball’s Elite and quilted jelly jars come … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged | 10 Comments