Summertime canning is like catching sunshine in a jar. ❤️ Great things can’t last forever, but we can make the most of the summer season with a little extra planning. While local farmers are hard at work harvesting bushels of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, okra, peaches, blueberries, melons and so much more, it’s the perfect time save the bounty in briny pickles, savory sauces, juicy jams and jellies! It’s a treat to enjoy field-ripe produce this time of year, but a few short months from now we’ll reminisce about the unbeatable flavor of summer produce. Popping open a jar of farm-fresh salsa is the best way to enjoy the taste of sunny days. That pantry of Farmers Market Dreams won’t stock itself! It all starts here in The Shed with fresh seasonal produce.
There are endless ways to preserve summer fruits and vegetables, but one of the easiest ways is with a quick pickle! While quick pickles only last about a week in the refrigerator, it’s a great way to hone in on the perfect flavor before committing to canning. Any fresh vegetable is a great candidate to quick pickle. Cucumbers, radishes, okra, peppers, and even tomatoes are delicious in a fresh brine! All you need is a clean container, hot water, and your desired seasonings. We’ll walk through the steps of a quick pickle below, but once you’ve picked your recipe you can preserve the harvest for months using fermentation or canning! True canning can be a little intimidating for first timers, and many kitchen connoisseurs find more comfort with fermentation which can yield fun and surprising flavors. If you’re canning-curious, we love this in-depth canning guide from the Farmers Almanac here.
No matter which method you choose to preserve the summer harvest, you’re sure to find plenty of inspiration in The Shed! Our vendors offer dozens of pickles, ferments, salsa, jams, and jellies that are the cream of the crop. Explore the flavors of Texas with artisan vendors in The Shed like T-Rex Pickles, Rockin JR Jams + Jellies, MaDears Jellies, Braga Farms ferments, Messy Jessy salsa, K-Mama’s Kimchi + Pickles, and so many more!
A great option to get started with pickling + preserving is to check out our weekly Wholesale Night Market on Thursdays from 9 PM – 9 AM in The Shed. You can find fresh produce by the box and bushel for the best price around! Contact Kelley Produce a current update on produce availability and pricing – kproducedfm@gmail.com or (469) 466-8003
Start preserving the summer harvest with these simple steps for a Radish Quick Pickle Garnish!
