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BOTTLING FRESH PRODUCE
Types of Preserves
| Preserving Fresh Produce | Freezing fresh produce | Drying fresh vegetables & herbs |
See below for general preparations of ingredients and equipment.
Jams and Marmalades
Jam is a cooked mixture of fruit or vegetables with sugar which is boiled and bottled.
The large amounts of sugar used prevents micro-organisms growing and allows the jam to be kept for months. Marmalades are always made with a citrus fruit e.g. oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerine. Used as a spread or in recipes.
Conserves
These are usually made with whole or large pieces fruit which is suspended in a thick syrup.
The fruit is layered with equal quantities of sugar and left for 24 hours. It is then boiled for a much shorter length of time than jam which preserves the fruit closer to its original state, both in form and flavour.
Jellies
These take longer to prepare than jams and conserves, the end product being more clear and smooth.
Many jellies are served with savoury foods e.g. Mint jelly with Lamb or cranberry jelly with poultry.
Curds
These are made with the addition of eggs and butter.
They are opaque and smooth and can be used as a spread or in various recipes.
They are not a "true" preserve and have a much shorter keeping time, 1 month in a cupboard or up to 3 months in a refrigerator.
Consequently, they should be made in smaller quantities. The best known are Lemon or Orange curd, but they can be made from other fruit such as raspberries and tangerines.
Pickles and Chutneys
Pickling utilises vinegar as the preserving agent, preserving larger recognisable pieces of fruit or vegetables whilst chutneys are made from finely chopped ingredients.
Both pickles and chutneys can be sweet or sharp and are usually served with savoury foods such as cheese or cold meats.
Vinegars, Oils and Ketchup
Vinegars and oils are infused or flavoured with herbs, spices, certain vegetables or fruit, are used for pickling, bottling or in salad dressings or recipes.
Ketchup is cooked using vinegar and extracts from a single fruit or vegetable, usually tomatoes.
It is usually served with savoury foods for an added "bite".
| Preserving Fresh Produce | Freezing fresh produce | Drying fresh vegetables & herbs |
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