Fruit Preserves and Jams
At Crooked Pines Farm, we take great pride in crafting our own jams, preserves, and marmalades using local, seasonal fruits. Whether it’s juicy summer strawberries, tart fall cranberries, or the zest of citrus in the winter, we capture the essence of each fleeting harvest in delectable homemade preserves.
Our preserving process begins by sourcing the freshest, ripest fruits from nearby orchards and small-scale producers. We carefully select varieties that offer the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and vibrant flavors. For example, our strawberry preserves highlight a mix of early-season Seascape and late-season Albion berries, creating a jam that’s both bright and complex. When it comes to our raspberry preserves, we opt for a blend of the deep red Royalty and golden-hued Anne raspberries, resulting in a preserve that’s gloriously crimson with pops of sunshine.
Once the fruit is gathered, we follow time-honored methods to transform it into jams and preserves. First, the fruit is cleaned, pitted, and crushed, then cooked down with organic cane sugar and a splash of lemon juice to heighten the natural sweetness and acidity. We pay close attention to the cooking temperature and duration, as this is crucial for achieving the perfect spreadable texture. For our citrus-based preserves, such as our signature orange marmalade, we also incorporate the zest to infuse an extra layer of aromatic complexity.
The beauty of homemade preserves lies in their ability to capture the fleeting essence of the season. Our cranberry preserves, made with tart local cranberries, are a cherished autumn tradition, while our grapefruit marmalade evokes the brightness of winter. Each jar is a testament to the hard work and care that goes into their creation, making them not just a delicious addition to your morning toast, but a true taste of Crooked Pines Farm.
Pickled Delicacies
In addition to our beloved jams and preserves, we also take great pride in our homemade pickles, relishes, and fermented creations. Pickling is an age-old method of food preservation that not only extends the life of fresh produce, but also transforms its flavors in exciting ways.
Our vegetable pickles showcase the bounty of our farm and the surrounding region. From classic dill pickles made with crisp local cucumbers to our signature roasted beet and onion relish, each jar is a celebration of seasonality. We carefully select the freshest ingredients, then use a variety of pickling techniques to create bold, flavorful results.
For our fermented pickles, we harness the power of beneficial bacteria to naturally preserve the vegetables. Our kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented cabbage dish, is a prime example. We start with napa cabbage, daikon radish, and carrots, then mix them with a potent blend of Korean chili flakes, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. As the mixture ferments over the course of a week, it develops a wonderfully complex, pungent flavor.
But our pickled delicacies aren’t limited to just vegetables. We also craft fruit-based relishes and chutneys that pair beautifully with meats, cheeses, and breads. Our apple-cranberry chutney, for instance, mingles tart berries with the warm spices of cinnamon and clove, creating a versatile condiment that’s equally at home on a cheese board or alongside roasted turkey.
Whether you’re looking to add a boost of flavor to your sandwiches, elevate your charcuterie spread, or simply explore new taste sensations, our homemade pickles, relishes, and ferments are sure to delight. Each jar is a testament to our commitment to preserving the very best of the season.
Ingredients and Techniques
Seasonal Produce
At the heart of our homemade preserves and pickles are the fresh, local ingredients we source from our own farm and neighboring producers. We place a strong emphasis on using seasonal, organic produce to ensure that each jar is a true reflection of the harvest.
During the summer months, our preserves showcase the juicy sweetness of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and peaches, while our pickles highlight the crisp texture of cucumbers, carrots, and green beans. As autumn arrives, we turn to the tart flavors of cranberries, apples, and pears for our preserves, and the earthy notes of beets, onions, and garlic for our fermented pickles.
In the winter, we shift our focus to the bold, citrusy notes of oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, crafting marmalades and preserves that bring a burst of sunshine to the colder months. Throughout the year, we also incorporate herbs and spices from our on-site garden, such as rosemary, thyme, coriander, and mustard seeds, to add depth and complexity to our creations.
Preservation Methods
To ensure the highest quality and longest shelf life for our preserves and pickles, we employ a variety of preservation techniques. For our jams and marmalades, we primarily use the water bath canning method, submerging the sealed jars in boiling water to create a hermetic seal that locks in flavor and prevents spoilage.
For our refrigerator preserves, such as our strawberry-balsamic jam, we forgo the canning process in favor of a quicker, simpler approach. These preserves are stored in the fridge, where they maintain their fresh, vibrant flavors for several weeks.
When it comes to our fermented pickles, we rely on the power of beneficial bacteria to naturally preserve the vegetables. The pickles are submerged in a brine solution and allowed to ferment at room temperature, developing a signature tang and crunch over the course of several days or weeks.
For certain products, such as our apple-cranberry chutney and roasted beet relish, we also utilize dehydration techniques to concentrate the flavors and achieve a thicker, more spreadable consistency. This not only enhances the texture, but also extends the shelf life of these preserves.
Crooked Pines Kitchen
History and Tradition
The art of preserving the harvest has been a cherished tradition at Crooked Pines Farm for generations. Our family recipes, passed down through the years, are the foundation of our homemade jams, pickles, and ferments. Each jar reflects the hard work, dedication, and culinary expertise of those who came before us.
Our Grandma Agatha’s orange marmalade, for instance, is a beloved staple that graces our breakfast table year-round. The recipe, which she perfected during her time living in Spain, combines the zest and juice of fresh oranges with a touch of lemon for a preserve that’s simultaneously sweet, tart, and utterly irresistible.
Similarly, our family’s dill pickle recipe has been honed over decades, with each generation adding their own unique touches. We take pride in honoring these time-tested techniques while also exploring new and innovative ways to preserve the bounty of our farm.
Creative Flavor Combinations
While we cherish our time-honored family recipes, we also take great joy in developing new and exciting flavor combinations for our preserves and pickles. Our culinary team is constantly experimenting with unusual pairings and unexpected ingredients, always striving to surprise and delight our customers.
For example, our strawberry-balsamic jam marries the sweetness of fresh berries with the complex, slightly tangy notes of aged balsamic vinegar. The result is a preserve that’s equally at home on a cheese plate or as a glaze for roasted meats.
Another standout is our kimchi, which features a unique blend of Korean chili flakes, fish sauce, and a touch of maple syrup. This fermented cabbage dish is a far cry from the traditional version, yet it still captures the signature spicy-savory-umami flavors that make kimchi so beloved.
By combining the best of tradition and innovation, we’re able to offer a diverse and ever-evolving selection of preserves, pickles, and ferments that cater to a wide range of tastes and culinary preferences. Whether you’re a purist who craves the classic flavors of yesteryear or an adventurous foodie seeking new and exciting taste sensations, you’ll find something to love in our Crooked Pines Kitchen.
Sustainability and Sourcing
At Crooked Pines Farm, we are committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing in every aspect of our operation, including the production of our homemade preserves and pickles. We believe that the quality of our products is inextricably linked to the quality of the ingredients we use and the methods we employ.
That’s why we prioritize working with local, organic producers to source the freshest, most flavorful fruits and vegetables. Our partnerships with nearby orchards, berry farms, and vegetable growers allow us to ensure that each jar is filled with the very best the season has to offer.
In addition to supporting our local agricultural community, we also strive to minimize waste and reduce our environmental impact. Our preserving and pickling process is designed to maximize the use of every part of the produce, whether it’s incorporating the zest of citrus fruits or repurposing vegetable trimmings.
We also take great care in selecting the packaging for our preserves and pickles, favoring reusable, recyclable, or compostable materials whenever possible. Our signature jars, for instance, can be washed and reused for a variety of purposes, from storing homemade spice mixes to housing small trinkets.
By upholding these sustainable practices, we not only ensure that our preserves and pickles are of the highest quality, but that they are also produced in a manner that is kind to the planet and the people who call it home. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to being good stewards of the land and providing our community with nourishing, ethically sourced foods.
