Although the fall season is upon us, the last vestiges of the summer harvest are still available at the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market; berries, peaches, figs, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes and more. With a little time and a few inexpensive supplies, you can preserve the great tastes of summer all thorough the cold season to come!
Preserves
Fruit preserves like jam and marmalade are simple to make and easy to store. Flats of strawberries, blackberries or raspberries are inexpensive to acquire this time of year and they don’t need to be as pristine as if you were going to eat them raw. Just be sure to preserve them right away, or pop them in the freezer until you are ready to preserve.
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Here are some tips:
- Mix in peeled figs with your berry jams for a sweet and exotic flair.
- Stone fruits like apricots and peaches make lovely, delicately-flavored jams that will brighten up any PB&J.
- Marmalades made with orange, lemon or grapefruit are another option.
If canning sounds intimidating to you, make your preserves, freeze them, and defrost as needed.
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Pickling
Besides the tried and true cucumbers, pickled beans, peppers and carrots can be fun alternatives. Add your favorite spices and seasonings to personalize your pickled veggies.
Saucing
There are several types of sauces you can make with summer veggies. Buy a couple flats of heirloom tomatoes and make yourself some slow-simmered marinara. Toss in some roasted red peppers and basil for a different flair. The variations on tomato-based sauces are endless. And speaking of basil, why not whip up a batch of pesto sauce while you’re at it?
Canning and preserving can be a real treat. Gather you friends and family together and make it a canning party. Get started on your Christmas gifts—people love personal, delicious gifts like jam and pickled peppers! Canning and preserving is a lovely tradition to begin.
Visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for recipes and tips. Shopping at the farmers market is a wonderful way to connect with your community, support local farmers, and eat seasonally.
The Watsonville Certified Farmers Market is held 3-7 pm every Friday on the corner of Peck and Main streets. The market is open rain or shine.
