Fig and Lemon Marmalade

First things first: I know that figs are not considered entirely vegan.  During pollination the female fig wasp gets trapped inside the flower and is consumed by the plant as the tree creates a fig around the body of the wasp.  The wasp’s sacrifice results in the plant being pollinated, and the fig being formed,…

Sweet Chilli Jam

This stuff is gorgeous!.  Sweet, sticky with a chilli kick, it’s a superb addition to any hamper or plate of nibbles.  It’s also a brilliant way to use up those chillis and peppers you’ve spent all summer cultivating and are now daunted by.  You’ll be able to taste the sweet red piquant sunshine for a…

Bramley Jelly

The trees are heaving with apples right now, driving down any country road you’ll almost certainly see them being offered for free or for a small donation outside people’s houses.  I have a reliable apple supplier, a good friend of mine with a large tree in her garden, who will keep me in pectin rich…

Seville Sunshine.

Marmalade.  Bitter, orange, tangy, sweet, citrus, sticky sunshine on toast. I love making preserves.  There’s a huge sense of satisfaction in taking a troublesome glut of fruit or veg, and making something wonderful out of it.  Preserves make up a huge percentage of my gifts to people, and I don’t think we’ve bought a jam,…