Shrubs and Other Kitchen Garden Projects
Strawberry guavas were the only significant harvest last week. With more than we can use, I keep a list of those who also like them and pass them along whenever possible. About another five pounds this week but when we shake the tree I’ll need to get serious about making guava puree for the freezer.
Strawberry guava-pineapple shrub was a new adventure. I find shrubs refreshing when mixed in a one to three ratio with sparkling water. New England colonists used their excess and marginal fruit for shrubs, also called drinking vinegars. My guavas are definitely in excess. For the guavas, I used a hot process method. The shrub mellows in the fridge for about a week and then I’ll taste and decide if I’ll make again.
I’ve followed the guidance on the Food52 website for cold and hot processed shrubs. The post is titled How to Make Shrubs (aka Drinking Vinegars) Without a Recipe. Here are some of their suggested combinations, Or in the spirit of a shrub, use what you have.
strawberries + white sugar + red wine vinegar and a splash of balsamic vinegar
blueberries + thinly sliced ginger + cider vinegar
nectarine + peppercorn + brown sugar + white wine vinegar
peach + cardamom pods + honey + cider vinegar
pomegranate + peppercorn + white sugar + red wine vinegar
pear + star anise + brown sugar + white wine vinegar
red plum + cardamom + brown sugar + white wine vinegar
The rhubarb-mixed berry shrub I made last week was cold processed which is the method I prefer. I finished the last of my nectaplum-lavender shrub yesterday so I’ll try the rhubarb-berry shrub soon.
Mixologists elevate cocktails and mocktails with shrubs and Martha Stewart provides more inspo. The Whole Foods Market website has an intriguing list of possible uses for shrubs and fruit-flavored simple syrups.
The first apple crisp of the season is always anticipated. I used our Dorsett Golden apples from an earlier harvest and anticipate a small second crop sometime in late November.
Check the What I’m Planting Now page as I plant the cool season garden. Then head to Harvest Monday, hosted by Dave at Happy Acres blog and see what garden bloggers around the world harvested last week.
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