Some jellies and jams are excellent for marinades and cooking, such as pineapple and jalapeno jelly, which can add a sweet kick to your shrimp or chicken kabobs. In fact, jalapenos can be combined with a variety of fruits, from mango, to passion fruit and more for the same effect. Let’s not forget mint jelly – the perfect accoutrement for lamb; and onion jam which melts in your mouth when served on ham, pork or even crackers!
There are also seasonal varieties of jams, jellies and preserves, including apple and pear jelly, as well as pumpkin and apple butters, which seem even more delicious in the fall. Then there is cranberry jelly, pomegranate jelly and fig jam, which can make toast in December, the bell of the Christmas ball. You can make a summery splash with jams, jellies, preserves and marmalades of the peach, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, rhubarb, cherry, plum and orange varieties (and many combinations of each)…which, by the way, are excellent on pancakes and waffles all year long!
For those who jam to the beat of a different drummer, there are a more exotic variety of jams and jellies – such as dandelion and honeysuckle. And for jam and jelly lovers with a more delicate palate, there are low- or no-sugar jams, jellies, preserves and marmalades, as well as those with no seeds.
That being said, you should probably know the difference between jelly, jam, preserves and marmalade. Basically it all boils down to this…Jelly is made from the juice of fruits, vegetables or plants by crushing them and removing the chunks. Jams are pretty much the same except they still include the chunks. Preserves are less gel-like and marmalade is simply preserves made from citrus fruits. You may agree that they all sound delicious, so maybe just throw caution to the wind and eat them all with reckless abandon!
Jams and jellies are our jam at Perrine’s Produce (well, one of them anyway)! We also love to support our community and make our customers happy by buying and providing fresh, farm-to-table items. So if you are looking for locally prepared jams, jellies and also honey, just stop by one of Perrine’s Produce’s convenient locations!
