bostonzest

Tag: jams

  • At The Market: Crab Apples

    PC2_0358 - Version 32013-09-20-crab-apples-chestnut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Recently, while selecting apples from the Foppema’s Farm display, I saw “Sweet & Crunchy” on the sign for Chestnut crab apples. I gamely added a few to my bag and was pleasantly surprised by their lovely nutty flavor. 

    DSC_8635 - Version 22013-09-22-crab-apples-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    A Useful Fruit

    Most people who grow crab apples as a crop use them to make jelly, but originally they may have been planted when home cooks made their own pectin. Crab apples are high in pectin and can be boiled down, strained, and canned to make a supply of pectin for the next year’s jams and jellies of all types.

    PC2_0349 - Version 22013-09-20-crab-apples-siberian-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Cider and Scrumpy

    Your favorite artisanal cider may have a dose of crab apple to achieve the right sweet/tart balance. In the British Isles, they have a cider made completely from crab apples and it’s called scrumpy. 

    My friend, Mick, who has enjoyed this drink at local pubs over there, says the best of it is made by “a guy down the road” and warned it may be very high in alcohol content. So far, I have not seen artisanal scrumpy in this country. If you know of one, please pass on the details.

    Wikipedia has an origin for the word scrumpy. “The name is believed to derive from the obsolete West Country dialect term "scrimp," meaning a small or withered apple, which also gave rise to the verb "scrump," meaning to steal fruit.”

     
    PC2_0354 - Version 22013-09-20-crab-apples-siberian-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    I also bought some of the more traditional, tart crab apples – a varietal called Siberian. These had a nice bit of crisp, green apple taste but were not sour or terribly tannic. I will even buy those again. And, I can because the farmers’ markets that bring these crops my way are still open and will be for some time. 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny  Cherubino 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Union Square Swirl & Slice: Specialty Foods Market

    The first Union Square Swirl & Slice: Specialty Foods Market is scheduled for tomorrow evening, June 14, 2012 from 5-8 pm. This new type of market will run each Thursday evening until September 20th.

    Screen shot 2012-06-02 at 12.25.11 PM - Version 22012-06-02-union-square-slice-swirl-2012-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Somerville has been in the forefront of providing new ways to reach the people who produce local food. This new market will be one more fun way to connect with wineries, cheesemakers, and specialty food producers.

    What is Swirl & Slice?

    The folks at Union Square Main Streets say, "The items at Swirl & Slice: Union Square Specialty Foods Market will be those you’d pack for a romantic, summer picnic or bring for a weekend away with friends. Wine, cheese, cured meats, breads, jams, pickles and other locally-produced, refined foods that typically take the back seat at other farmers’ markets will be the stars here. Bread and other baked goods, roasted nuts, and cut flowers are also expected to be among the offerings. Check out our amazing vendors here."

    IStock_000016563261XSmall

    In addition to the opportunity to taste and purchase products at the market, there will also be live jazz. And, when you're ready to sit down for a relaxing meal, you'll have a wide selection of restaurants in Union Square. This sounds like the perfect place to meet friends, have some fun, and enjoy a summer evening. 

    If you go, come back and let us know what you think. We'll be following the news of this market and reporting back to you. Follow us on Twitter: @BostonZest for updates!

    What's on your summer fun shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: istockphoto.com and sceenshot from Union Square Main Streets. 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.