A Collection of Over a Dozen Homemade Rhubarb Jam and Pickle Recipes for Preservation at Home
Preserving abundance of rhubarb on a solar-powered homestead leads to a variety of innovative canning recipes
In the 10 years since moving to a self-sustaining homestead powered by solar energy, rhubarb cultivation has become a staple. With several plants sourced from a friend and a spouse's first-date purchase, the homeowner reaps a bountiful harvest when springtime arrives. This surplus of rhubarb necessitated discovering creative methods to preserve this delectable plant.
Recipes encompass a wide range of uses for rhubarb, from jam and jelly to savory dishes such as lamb and rhubarb stew. Rhubarb drinks, wine, and mead are some other home-made creations to cope with the excessive supply. Friends receive generous portions, yet even with such distributions, there remains an abundance of fresh rhubarb.
Freezing rhubarb is a possible solution, but it consumes considerable freezer space and is vulnerable to power outages. Canning rhubarb quickly emerged as an effective solution, even more convenient when shipping long-distance to those in desert environments, where rhubarb cannot thrive.
The following is a compilation of canning recipes for rhubarb, ensuring that the bounty lasts throughout the year:
- Canning Plain Rhubarb: Consisting of underlying acidity with a pH of 3.1 to 3.4, rhubarb requires no additional preservation as canning is sufficient. Macerating chopped rhubarb in sugar draws out its juices, and those same juices are used for canning without the addition of water.
- Canning Rhubarb Pie Filling: Employing "clear gel" for thickening purposes, canned rhubarb pie filling is ideal for any weeknight baking sessions, as no additional preparation is needed besides pouring the pre-thickened filling into a crust and baking.
- Rhubarb Jam: Exploring a wider scope of rhubarb recipes beyond the traditional pie, this jam, either with or without pectin, showcases the intensive flavor of rhubarb without the distraction of other fruits.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Jam and Other Combinations: Expanding the jam possibilities, combining rhubarb with strawberries exemplifies a timeless favorite with captivating results. Other potential combinations include blueberry rhubarb jam, raspberry rhubarb jam, and rhubarb black currant jam.
- Rhubarb Jelly: Silky smooth jellies meet the preferences of younger generations. Approved pectin is essential to achieve the desired consistency in rhubarb jelly.
- Rhubarb Juice (and Syrup): Process identical to making rhubarb jelly, rhubarb juice may be consumed as-is or sweetened to create rhubarb syrup for an assortment of summer drinks.
- Rhubarb Sauce: Akin to apple sauce, rhubarb sauce can be used as a base to enhance other fruits such as apples or create a classic strawberry rhubarb sauce.
- Rhubarb Butter: Fruit butter functions similarly to a sauce and effortlessly adapts to rhubarb flavor. Achieve a thick, spreadable texture when paired with sugar, making it an enticing addition to morning toast.
- Rhubarb BBQ Sauce: Channeling culinary traditions of the Victorian era, this Victorian Rhubarb BBQ sauce adds an unexpected twist to meat dishes.
- Rhubarb Chutney: Offering a tangy condiment to suit individual tastes, rhubarb chutney may serve as a relish in various dishes.
- Rhubarb Salsa: Daring to experiment with rhubarb in a novel manner, this salsa seamlessly fuses the expectations of acidity in a refreshing and intriguing outcome.
Taking advantage of the shelf-life extension offered by canning preserves the delicious taste of rhubarb throughout the year, making for an enticing selection of recipes to indulge in.
The self-sustaining homestead houses a variety of innovative water bath canning recipes for rhubarb, ensuring its bounty lasts the year. These include canning plain rhubarb, rhubarb pie filling, and rhubarb jam, allowing homeowners to savor rhubarb's intensive flavor all seasons. Additionally, the collection includes unconventional recipes like rhubarb BBQ sauce, rhubarb chutney, and rhubarb salsa, adding an unexpected twist to food-and-drink choices and enhancing lifestyle choices related to home-and-garden recipes.
These canning practices not only extend the shelf life of rhubarb but also introduce new cooking possibilities. For instance, the rhubarb butter can be spread on morning toast, while the rhubarb BBQ sauce can add a unique flavor to various meat dishes. Canning rhubarb contributes to a diverse and exciting culinary lifestyle that embraces the harvest's abundance.
