You may think of preserving—jams, jellies, and pickles—as a purely warm-weather thing, when berries, stone fruits, and cucumbers are all plentiful. But in the cooler months, when we’re eating a little more citrus and a little less melon, there’s still plenty of preserving to do. Here are nine pickles, candies, and preserves to help you practice delayed gratification this season.
Dashi, an enhanced kelp stock with rich umami flavor, is a staple component of Japanese cooking; it has the remarkable effect of accentuating the flavors of anything cooked in it. Here, it adds depth to a pickle brine from award-winning cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo. We use radishes, but any sturdy vegetables, such as peppers, cauliflower, or onions, will do. Get the recipe for Vegetables Pickled in Kelp Vinegar »
A salt and spice cure transforms fresh citrus into tart, briny pickles that perk up many Indian meals. Smita Chandra uses them as a condiment to punch up soft naan flatbreads and steamed white rice.
After simmering clementines in simple syrup, you end up with pockets of sweet, tender fruit suspended in a bright, slightly tart liquid. They make the perfect gift for cocktail lovers and home bakers.
Persimmons come in two varieties. There’s the Hachiya, which can only be eaten when the flesh is incredibly ripe and runny, and the Fuyu, which can be eaten either firm or soft. You want to seek out firm Fuyu persimmons for this recipe (they are short and squat, with a flat underside), as they give the best texture to the finished chutney.
