63 fruit preserf recipes

Old-fashioned rhubarb and fig jam, sugared overnight then boiled down with chopped candied peel for a deep, jammy preserve. Yields about 9 pints, perfect for canning season and homemade gifts.

Blueberry jam infused with Sambuca licorice liqueur and lemon zest, sealed with whole coffee beans in each jar. Italian-inspired homemade preserves with a gentle anise note.

Homemade dried fig jam spiked with dark rum and ground cardamom. Rehydrated figs simmered with lemon and sugar produce a thick, honey-colored preserve that's canning-ready and irresistible on warm toast.

Raspberry-rose geranium vinegar with fresh raspberries and scented geranium leaves steeped in red wine vinegar for two weeks. A fragrant, floral infused vinegar for salads and gifts.

Stewed rhubarb is the simplest spring compote: rhubarb and sugar simmered into a tart-sweet sauce. Spoon over yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or eat it straight from the jar.

Greek fig preserves (syko glyko) made with whole green figs stuffed with blanched almonds and simmered in lemon-scented syrup. Traditional spoon sweet for coffee service.

Mei Kwei Tao (Pickled Peaches in Red Rose Petals) recipe

Gooseberry curd made with fresh gooseberries, eggs, butter, and sugar cooked to a silky custard. A tart, floral fruit curd for filling tarts, tartlets, or spreading on scones.

Homemade peach chutney with brown sugar, honey, raisins, and whole spices simmered for an hour and canned in a boiling water bath. Makes 4 pints of sweet-tart preserve.

Old-fashioned pear harlequin preserves with pineapple, orange, and maraschino cherries. A colorful sweet conserve with the look of stained glass in the jar.

Watermelon rind pickle is a Southern preserve made from the white inner rind, brined for three days then simmered in spiced sweet vinegar with cinnamon, cloves, and lemon. Crisp, sweet-tart, translucent.

This relish is based on a prize-winning English recipe of more than a generation ago. It is less sweet than traditional chutneys; most of its sweetness comes not from sugar, but from apples, dates, and parsnips. I generally use Winesap apples but any well-flavored, crisp eating apple will do.

Fig pickles made from dried California figs simmered in apple cider vinegar, sugar, and pickling spices. Includes a herb pairing guide so the pickles complement turkey, beef, lamb, fish, or pork.

Fiery chili salsa for canning: fire-roasted hot peppers and red bells blended with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and vinegar. Shelf-stable jars of serious heat for tacos, eggs, or chili bowls.

Plunder Flechten, a traditional German twisted pastry filled with candied fruit and cinnamon sugar, brushed with apricot preserves. Made from Plunderteig, an enriched laminated dough.

Cassata Napoletana layers thin sponge cake with cherry preserves, rich Neapolitan custard, chopped walnuts, and candied fruit. A no-bake Italian celebration cake that chills to set.