Category Archives: Condiments & Snacks

Don’t sit under that apple tree. Make apple sauce!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

I love this time of the year. Here in Chicago, Winter’s relentless, Spring’s nonexistent, Summer’s hot & humid, but Fall, beautiful, wonderful Fall is our reward for putting up with the rest of the year’s weather. The days are warm, … Continue reading →

Posted in 2) MISC RECIPE COLLECTIONS, Condiments & Snacks, Sides (Contorni), Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 46 Comments

Zia’s Corn Relish

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Growing up, this would have been the time of year when Mom and Zia canned tomatoes. I vaguely remember the canning process itself but I do remember, vividly, being sent down to the cantina, “cellar”, to retrieve a quart or … Continue reading →

Posted in 2) MISC RECIPE COLLECTIONS, Condiments & Snacks, Family Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 51 Comments

Giardiniera – the Chicago Way

Posted on August 24, 2011 by

With farmers’ markets fully stocked and bustling, this is the time to start preserving fruits and vegetables. One such method is canning and that’s about all I have to say about it. There’s freezing and, within the next few weeks, … Continue reading →

Posted in Condiments & Snacks, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

Grape? Nuts!

Posted on August 22, 2011 by

I know, I know. I know what I said but what was I supposed to do? There they were, sitting incognito among the berries, containers of blue Concord grapes. How could I pass them by? It’s been a year, after … Continue reading →

Posted in 1) RECIPES BY TYPE, 2) MISC RECIPE COLLECTIONS, Condiments & Snacks, Sweets (Dolci), Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

The kitchens’ Strawberries be Jammin!

Posted on August 14, 2011 by

I know, I know. I do not can. The threat of giving my friends & loved ones the gift of botulism has pretty much kept me away from this age-old method of food preservation. Not only that, I’ve no room … Continue reading →

Posted in 1) RECIPES BY TYPE, 2) MISC RECIPE COLLECTIONS, Condiments & Snacks, Family Recipes, Sweets (Dolci), Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

My Cherry Amour, The Return (This time it’s personal)

Posted on August 7, 2011 by

OK! I admit it. I have a problem. At first it was interesting, even quaint. Then it became mildly neurotic, with close friends beginning to question my actions. Now, I’m afraid, it’s a full-blown obsession and I’ve been urged to … Continue reading →

Posted in Condiments & Snacks, Sweets (Dolci), Vegetarian | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

Posted on June 15, 2011 by

Barbecue season is well-underway and I want to share a recipe for making pickles. After all, what better way is there to top off a burger than with pickles? Some 10 or so years ago, I watched Emeril as he … Continue reading →

Posted in Condiments & Snacks, Vegetarian | Tagged , , | 10 Comments