It’s been a while, but I’ve got two gigs this week to promote Canning & Preserving Your Own Harvest . You know what that means – SAMPLES!!! I think I’m on to something here. Heads up for any poor author who has ever sat through the soul-sucking, psychically painful ordeal of a book signing where hardly anyone shows up: bring something to eat, call it a sample and you’ll have all sorts of friends. I’m just sayin’.
Wednesday evening I’m speaking to a local garden club. This wonderful group has supported me through not 1, not 2 but all 3 of my books. From Hortus Miscellaneous (huh?) to the more pedestrian Growing Your Own Vegetables, this group has earned their goodies and I’ve got some yummy treats planned for our gathering this week.
My talk: Quick Preserves in One Hour or Less for Holiday Gifting is chock-a-block filled with easy, delicious goodies just in time for the feasting season. Can you say Chocolate martinis, Vanilla pear vinegar, Spiced lemons and Cranberry Apple ketchup? Sorry to tease… I’m afraid the event is just for club members and their guests.
But everyone is welcome to next weekend’s book signing at Emerald City Gardens located at 4001 Leary Way NW in Seattle just north of the Ship Canal. That address is as familiar to me as my own name as this was the home of Fremont Gardens, a very small specialty nursery I had for 13 years. Today ECG is under the capable and enthusiastic guidance of Jay and Andrew who describe themselves as “two middle aged plant geeks.”
I’ll be signing my book from 1-3pm on Sunday the 22nd and yes, I’ll bring samples! I’m looking forward to visiting with former customers and clients, friends and family in the oh-so-familiar surroundings of this quirky little nursery that holds a very dear place in my heart. Plus, I need to load up on Paperwhite narcissus bulbs for the holidays now that I’ve discovered the secret to taming their floppy ways! Read about last year’s “Paperwhite caper” here.
In the mean time, here’s a little seasonal gift for all you out-of-towners not likely to make an appearance. With Thanksgiving right around the corner I can’t think of a better hostess gift or turkey accompaniment than:
Cranberry Apple Ketchup
This sweet, tart relish is as delicious with a holiday turkey as with barbecued burgers in summer.
Season: Fall
Yield: 3 pints
Store: Cool, dark pantry1 1/2 cups finely chopped mild onion
4 strips orange zest, 1 inch wide, scraped to remove bitter white
pith
4 cups water
4 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (thawed)
6 tart apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
2 cups cider vinegar
1 cup packed brown sugar, or more if desired
2 teaspoons pickling salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamonBring the onion, orange zest, and water to a boil in a preserving pan. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the onions are tender and translucent.
Add the cranberries and apples to the onions and bring the mixture to a boil; partially cover and simmer until the fruit is very soft, about 15 minutes. Empty everything into a bowl to cool slightly.
Working with half the mixture at a time, whirl in a food processor or blender until very finely puréed; transfer the purée into the rinsed out preserving pan. Optional: for a very smooth texture, press the purée through a fine sieve before returning to the pan.
Add the vinegar, brown sugar, salt, mustard, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent the ketchup from scorching. Cook until thickened to your desired consistency. Carefully ladle the hot ketchup into hot, sterilized pint jars, allowing 1/4 inch headspace. Follow water-bath canning instructions (page 34) and process for 15 minutes. The ketchup is ready for serving in a few days, but the flavors will continue to mellow for several weeks.
from Canning & Preserving Your Own Harvest, An Encyclopedia of Country Living Guide by Carla Emery & Lorene Edwards Forkner, 2009 Sasquatch Books.
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yummm and thanks. good on you! I wish I had free food to entice people to my booksignings. you’re definitely onto something, girlfriend.
have fun at these events – you are so approachable and accessible – and your audiences love you! I know why x0×0 deb
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