Preserving Sunshine: A Guide to Drying Citrus Zest The scent of citrus zest always transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. I remember standing on a wobbly stool, diligently grating lemons while she hummed a cheerful tune. The air would be thick with the bright, tangy aroma, a promise of the delicious lemon bars or … Read more
Red Hot Edible Pepper Wreath The aroma of drying chilies always transports me back to my grandmother’s sun-drenched kitchen in New Mexico. Strings of crimson peppers, ristras as she called them, hung from the rafters, their fiery scent a promise of the warmth they would bring to winter stews. She taught me that drying peppers … Read more
The Old Dutch Secret: Drying Beef at Home Growing up, the scent of cured meats always hung in the air at my grandmother’s house. She had a knack for preserving everything from garden vegetables to, most impressively, beef. I remember being fascinated by the slabs of meat hanging in her cool, dark cellar, transformed into … Read more