Recession Proof Christmas Presents

This Kilkenny Christmas is going to be a thrifty one, no expensive presents, just homemade ones. What better than to make ones own preserves, they are always well received. Instead of bringing a bottle of wine or flowers, try bringing one of your homemade jams, chutneys or pickles when you next go visiting.

Eventually the tomatoes ripened

A glut of cucumbers ensured a plentiful supply of cucumbers for Cucumber Pickles.
The tomatoes were slow to ripen, so lots of green tomato preserves were made. The Green Tomato Jam and Green Tomato Marmalade were successful experiments to be repeated again next year.
A friend, in Toronto, sent a great recipe for green tomato Chow Chow, basically a green tomato pickle, with celery seeds that complimented the tomatoes.

Pickles and Chutneys waiting for Christmas

Still more green tomatoes kept on coming, with no sign of any ripening, so it called for further creativity. This was a Damson and Green Tomato Chutney, making use of a basket of damsons grown by a neighbour and left on the kitchen table.

From L-R: Damson & Green Tomato Chutney, Green Tomato Jam,
Green Tomato Marmalade & Green Tomato Chow Chow.

Eventually, the tomatoes started turning red - much later than usual. Now, was the occasion to make a Red Tomato Relish and a Spicy Red Tomato Relish (spicy, not hot) which will reduce the need to buy a well known brand of tomato ketchup.

From L-R: Wild Plum Jam, Hedgerow Jelly and Sloe Gin & Wild Apple Jelly

Foraging in the deep freeze, revealed some white currants which required attention. These were turned into White Currant and Rosemary Jelly, to be eaten with lamb. It is a beautiful jelly to make, as the white currant juice turns to a surprising, delicate pink colour.
These preserves are all easy to make and the main expense is the sugar and vinegar. Sadly, there is no longer any Irish sugar produced, the factories were closed down. Sugar beet is now grown by my neighbours, only for animal fodder. Instead, we have to buy the more expensive imported cane sugar.
Perhaps, next year, some homemade vinegar will be produced to further reduce the cost.
Don't be too enthusiastic about bringing your glass jars to the recycling centre, instead hold onto them and reuse them, year after year.

These presents are recession proof as they will taste just as good in boom times.