End of Summer Means Jam Making and More

At my community garden it's late September and finally harvesting time. In most states September is very late for harvesting veggies such as tomatoes,zucchini, and figs! But this being the bay area we never seem to get enough constant days of heat to produce summer harvests and technically we are already into fall! For me, it just makes for a longer wait before any picking is done at the community garden. But, nonetheless September signals making jams and having a hot cup of tea while enjoying my homemade jam on crackers. This year I am really pleased & excited my dwarf Celeste Hardy fig tree produced a nice supply of figs, this being the first time! I promptly took a handful home and devoured a few, then sliced some goat cheese, placing it on top of the figs for an even tastier treat. I also had the luck of discovering a new jam making cookbook through friends in Florida. Funny turn of events that they were visiting the bay area and sampled some of the jam at our local farmer's market. The jams were made by a local outfit called the Blue Chair company. My friends bought the cookbook, made some Tomato Marmalade, and gave me a bottle. I was completely sold! I bought the cookbook and have been making jams from Blue Chair ever since. What I love is the unique pairing of fruits with herbs for some tasty jams - minus using pectin. This year my choice recipe was late summer peach jam to which, I added my own twist, lavender; a delectable blend of peaches with a hint of lavender. I look forward to the fall & winter season sitting in my kitchen, with friends, family, and alone enjoying my creations on toast, biscuits, with cheeses, and a good novel.