Sweet Success: Homegrown Preserves Made Easy

Our friend @robsallotment certainly knows a thing or two about cultivating homegrown produce. This week, another wander around his glorious plot has gifted us with garden gold: Rob’s guide to turning fresh produce into a delicious preserve.

The world of preserving has expanded far beyond the basics. Gone are the days when the process was limited to producing basic pickled beetroot or traditional chutney. Whilst these old favourites have their charms, today’s preserves embrace a wider array of flavours and ingredients. Vibrant and innovative, the latest taste bud ticklers offer a multitude of ways to enjoy the flavours of your garden throughout the year. From fruit-infused vinegars and herbed salts to fermented delicacies, preserving has evolved into an art that adds a gourmet twist to your culinary creations, allowing you to savour the peak of summer whenever you wish.

From Garden To Jar

First things first: the key to exceptional preserves lies in the freshness and quality of your ingredients. Imagine stepping into your garden to pick chillies, garlic, red onions, and even ginger, to feature in your own recipes. Not only does this homegrown harvesting ensure maximum flavour, but it also brings a sense of accomplishment and connection to your food; after all, the idea is to eat what you grow.

What to Sow

Chillies: Easy to cultivate in pots or directly in the ground of a tunnel or greenhouse, chillies thrive in warm, sunny spots. Adding a spicy kick, they are a versatile condiment; to make something even hotter, just add more chillies!

Garlic: If you aren’t already harvesting your own garlic, plant cloves in the autumn, and by the next summer, you'll have plump bulbs ready for harvest. Garlic’s robust flavour forms the backbone of many an infusion, so don’t be shy when adding it to a recipe!

Red Onions: Red onions are straightforward to grow and can be harvested within a few months, if nurtured from sets. Their sweet and slightly sharp taste complements the sweetness of ingredients such as honey perfectly, plus they store for months.

Ginger: Often considered exotic, ginger is surprisingly easy to grow at home and will add a zesty, aromatic note to your preserves. Plant a piece of ginger root in a pot, keep it in a warm, partially shaded area in the house, conservatory or greenhouse, and watch it sprout.

Ready to pick, preserve, and enjoy? We’re relishing the opportunity to share Rob’s Hot Honey, a sweet and spicy contemporary preserve that adds a whole new level to many dishes, including barbecued food and pizza…