Giving the perfect gift, 4/4

#4: Bake the jam right in! Here's a fresh recipe perfect for giving at the holidays. California seasonal favorites are kiwi (pictured above) and marmalade.

Jam Squares

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup spelt flour
1⁄2 cup sucanat (unrefined sugar)
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup applesauce
1⁄4 cup butter, room temp
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup good jam

Mix together dry ingredients. Add applesauce, butter, and vanilla. Press half into a 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper, Spread jam in a thin layer. Press remaining mixture onto a separate piece of parchment and carefully transfer on top of jam. Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes, until brown. Let cool completely and cut into squares. Store in freezer.

Giving the perfect gift, 3/4

#3: Eight nights of applesauce - Trust me, you haven't had a latke until you've had one topped with homemade applesauce.

As much as I'd love for you to procure some By the Spoonful 100% applesauce, it's so easy to make yourself!

Ask your friendly local apple purveyor to recommend a mix of sweet apples for sauce. (The batch pictured above features seasonal favorites King Davids and Christmas Grannies!) Roughly chop them, peels, cores and all. Simmer with a little water until soft. Pass through a food mill.

Now you're ready to invite your friends over and fry up those latkes! We like the Cook's Illustrated recipe and cast iron.

Giving the perfect gift, 2/4

#2 Monthly Jam Shares

When one jar just isn't enough! Give a selection of flavors to sample each month of the new year. Comes with a handmade gift card to open at the holidays.

Giving the perfect gift, 1/4

Now, it probably comes as no surprise that at this time of year I'm more interested in putting up persimmons, pomegranates, and citrus than hitting the malls. I'm barely exaggerating when I say I haven't bought a present since I started preserving, and no one has complained yet. You too can have a holiday season 100% free of crowds, carols, and commercialism!

How does By the Spoonful make the perfect gift? This week I'll be counting the ways.

#1: Individual jars of jam. Preserves are a classic holiday gift for a reason. Who doesn't love a taste of summer on a cold winter morning?

Stay tuned for 3 more ways.

Run free, little jams!

The first shares of jam have been released. Many thanks to my founding members!

(Free spoon with every order! To, you know, eat it By the Spoonful! I couldn't resist.)

Free gift cards!

Go ahead, treat someone special to a jam share. I hear it's the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, I'll have an excuse to get crafty and whip up a personalized gift card! To order a gift just fill out the pertinent info in the comments section of the order form.

Order Shares

Order by the Jar

Mailing List

Jamiversary!

So, as I was recording this veritable tower of apple butter in my trusty jam log tonight, I noticed that 8/15 happens to be my jam anniversary!


(also pictured: heirloom beans, sharpie, Israeli peanut snacks... Jessica Simpson?)


(That historic batch of strawberry jam, long digested, can still be viewed in the banner above.)

Putting the J in CSA

BtS is now available by subscription!

Buying a share of my jam harvest works like Community Supported Agriculture. You'll make a connection with local food while you perk up your pantry with fresh, healthy fruit and try new flavors. Meanwhile, I get to stay busy in the kitchen, knowing each jar will go to a good home. I'm already scheming exciting extracurriculars for members like picking parties and jam classes!

Get your monthly dose of freshly preserved fruit delivered FREE to your door! (Oakland / Berkeley / Alameda... if you live elsewhere in the bay area contact me and we'll work something out.)

I know, commitment is scary! I'll be taking new orders every quarter, so you only need sign up for 3 months at a time.

3 options depending on your level of jam consumption:
Dabbler - 1 jar x 3 mo = 3 jars / $18
Daily Toaster - 2 jars x 3 mo = 6 jars / $36
Connoisseur - 4 jars x 3 mo = 12 jars / $60
(Jams and butters come in 1/2 pint jars, 100% fruitsauces in pint jars.)

Place your order by 9/27.
I'll deliver the first week of Oct / Nov / Dec.
Pay by cash or check on first delivery.

Got fruit? Let's talk bartering!

Place your order now!

Or contact me with any questions.