Author Archives: Linda Ziedrich

About Linda Ziedrich

I grow, cook, preserve, and write about food in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Finally, Stainless-Steel Mason Jar Bands

Posted on August 19, 2016

“See this rust?” asked a county-fair judge of a young 4-Her, pointing at a little spot inside the band the judge had just removed from the child’s jam jar. “This can keep your lid from sealing.” I’d never known even … Continue reading →

Posted in Fermented foods, Pickles, Preserving science, Sweet preserves | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the New Joy of Pickling: Pickled Sliced Peaches

Posted on August 15, 2016

The Washington State Fruit Commission made my day again early this month, when a big box of fragrant, juicy peaches and nectarines was delivered to my front porch. The fruit was so tasty that I made small batches of plain … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Pickles | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Fennel Pollen—Really?

Posted on August 12, 2016

Examining a Florence fennel plant I’d let go to seed, my daughter came to the same conclusion I had—that the fad food fennel “pollen” was actually fennel flowers. You’re supposed to rub fennel pollen over chicken or pork before roasting … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs, Wild foods | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Canned Cherries for a Flamboyant Dessert

Posted on July 6, 2016

Before cherry season comes to a close, I want to share with you a recipe I recently developed for the Washington State Fruit Commission, thanks to whom a big box of fresh cherries landed on my porch a few weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Sweet preserves | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

USDA Approves Steam Canners

Posted on May 14, 2016

Many home preservers love steam canners (such as the Victorio), because they use less water and less energy and take less time to preheat than boiling-water canners. For at least two decades, however, the USDA and its Extension employees have … Continue reading →

Posted in Preserving science | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

News Bites

Posted on April 19, 2016

In recent weeks I’ve been busy with the very tedious but so-important work of producing the index for the third edition of The Joy of Pickling. Yes, the third edition will be out soon, on July 1! Online retailers in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and blogs, Pickles | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Adventures with Almonds, Part II: No-Flavor-Added Homemade Marzipan

Posted on February 9, 2016

Before I used my Hall’s Hardy almonds, I thought, even though they didn’t taste bitter I should perhaps try to purge them of any amygdalin, the bitter compound that converts to hydrogen cyanide. I could find no authoritative instructions in … Continue reading →

Posted in Nuts | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Adventures with Almonds, Part I: The Marvelously Fragrant Hall’s Hardy Almond

Posted on February 8, 2016

This is the first part of a two-part series. I’ll publish the second, on making marzipan, shortly. In the meantime, you might check out two articles I recently published with Mother Earth News, “Finally, a Good Thermometer for Home Preserving” and … Continue reading →

Posted in Food history, Nuts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tomato Report 2015

Posted on January 12, 2016

Now that tomato-starting season is almost upon us, it’s high time I reviewed last year’s varieties. The tomatoes I’ll describe here were all grown by my friends Greg and Wendy, who kindly let me raid their garden while they were … Continue reading →

Posted in Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Persimmon Treats for the Holiday Cookie Platter

Posted on December 17, 2015

The day the sale of our farm closed, I picked nearly all the remaining fruit in the orchard, but I had to leave the persimmons. They were the biggest crop I’ve ever had, on a tree at least fifteen years … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments