Regional Jellies, Jams, Preserves, Syrups

We're in Louisiana for a few weeks, and I came across some Mayhaw jelly in the grocery, and it brought back memories of a great former poster who has defected to the dark side. Sure do miss him.

In my native North Carolina mountains, we always enjoyed muscadine jelly, gooseberry preserves, pear preserves, pickled peaches, strawberry-rhubarb jelly, sourwood honey and sorgum molasses. What regional specialties should I try as I get into your part of the country?

How's about Beach Plum Jelley or Jam, Rose Hip
Jelly, Tart Cranberry Marmalade and Hot Pepper
Jelley from out on Cape Cod in Massachusetts...

Backroad Jack in MA

Around my neck of the woods I really dont see any Jams or Jellys for sale... Really bites... I see on the Food Network where they travel and find all these treasures in the nook and crannies across the country... I have my pick of stands around the county where I find a dozen fresh brown eggs for a buck, a quart of honey for 4 bucks, mass assortments of root plants like rhubarb darn cheap.. Then mass amounts of the best veggies ever in the summer months (but I imagine this goes on all over the country).. But to find something hand cooked in someones kitchen is another thing... Could be the strict Health laws around here, but sure wish I had some, if not more then some to sample and buy!

PS (edit): I do have a stand NE of Grand Rapids that sells some really decent honey (and alot of decent fruits and veggies.. The guy that runs (and farms it)is in a wheelchair, I dont stop to help him, I stop because his crops are the best! and he's proud of his product!)...

You can alll eat your hearts out (just an expression, hehe) Sundancer's mom, Mamaw Smith, makes the best homemmade/regional jams and jellies around.

Sea grape jelly, coconut jam, mango preserves, and orange blossom honey in Fort Lauderdale.

Medium Amber Maple Syrup - available all over the Northeast, and I hear this is going to be a very good year for quality and quantity. Maybe the price will be down from the stratosphere for a change.

cheers, John

Cherry prserves with whole sour cherries, corn relish, sweet red pepper relish, and apple or peach butter would be common in this part of PA.

Does anyone know where I can find a good elderberry jelly? My grandmother used to make it and I haven't had it since shortly after she passed away.

quote:

Originally posted by ctfrasier

Does anyone know where I can find a good elderberry jelly? My grandmother used to make it and I haven't had it since shortly after she passed away.

Well, I don't know if it's what you had in mind, but Smuckers makes elderberry jelly and it tasted all right to me. Granted, I have no idea how it'd measure up to homemade, but my husband also had fond childhood memories of it and doesn't think Smuckers' version is too bad.

It can also be found in Ohio and Indiana, FWIW... I forget what brand we've got right now, but I think it's from a company based out of Columbus, OH. If you have a chance to hit up any farm markets in that area, it might be a good bet.

Ariane