![Jam Session: A Fruit-Preserving Handbook [A Cookbook]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_792452-T2/images/I/81LbSWlUg8L._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Quick review: Inspiring, beautiful, mouthwatering, liberating.
Full review: Unlike some reviewers I don't find this book frustrating in the least. As a long time jam/preserve maker who's been chained to very "normal" recipes for years, this book is a breath of fresh air. Yes some of the ingredients can be difficult or even impossible to find if you don't live in California but where the real beauty lies in this book is the creativity and exuberance that is apparent in these recipes. I've made a few recipes already and though I'm fortunate to have access to a wide array of unusual cultivars what I had on hand or what looked best that day in the market was not necessarily what a recipe called for. Actually, I haven't yet perfectly followed a recipe, but I have been astounded by the results, so there. YES, people, you too can "wing it". Don't have the exact thing the recipe calls for? Use your taste buds and a little simple math (for fruit/sugar proportions) and tah dah(!) delicious, creative jam. The pictures/descriptions of the jam making process are enough to sell me on this book, but add to that, gorgeous photos and great methods and I can't believe this book was only ~$20. I LOVE that I can break up the process over a number of days. Faced with say 20lbs of strawberries or the entire harvest of a neighbor's plum tree it is entirely possible that I don't have the time to prep and cook/process the jam in one day. With this, I can prep over one or two days and cook/process another....genius!
Specifics, you ask? First I made the "English Three-Fruit Marmalade" but couldn't get Seville oranges for love or money. I scored some nice blood oranges and I had a bunch of limes on hand, so I made grapefruit/blood orange/lime marmalade. It rocked my world. Next I made the "Santa Rosa Plum and Strawberry Jam with Rosemary" except I didn't have any plums but I did have about a zillion strawberries so I just made strawberry jam with rosemary...again = winning! Anyway, as you can see this is how it went. I use what is in season/available/affordable and it has been perfection. That said, if I ever spot Etrog citrons and I don't have to mortgage my life to get them, I will be bringing them home and making "Citron Shred".
DID I MENTION THE GORGEOUS PHOTOS?! I may wear a threadbare hoody and holey jeans but these pictures are so lush they make me happy just to look at them.
As far as the whole controversy over oven canning, until this book I always did water bath canning. Do what YOU feel is safe and are comfortable with. The author says "process according to manufacturer's instructions or as directed on pg 42". Given an accurate oven thermometer and all very acidic recipes the oven processing doesn't worry me one bit (anyway I never can anything low acid...ever).
Bottom line, if you are annoyed by creative recipes and unusual ingredients don't buy this book. The internet (and that's free) and many other books are loaded with recipes for more readily available produce (note: there are many, many "normal" recipes in here too. In fact there are two for just plain old strawberry jam, one for kids and one for adults with a splash of alcohol, or a raspberry jam with just raspberries and sugar, and the list of "normal" goes on and on). But if you want to have detailed instructions on jamming processes, have ever been curious about what to do with say, rose geraniums, or want to know what the difference is between pluots, plumcots, and apriums, or you just want to be inspired, than this book is for you.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$47.56
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Dec 20
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Submit a report
A few common reasons customers report reviews:
- Harassment, profanity
- Spam, advertisement, promotions
- Given in exchange for cash, discounts
When we get your report, we'll check if the review meets our Community guidelines. If it doesn't, we'll remove it.
