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Food in Jars Book Signing

Published on May 30, 2012 By Emily. Updated on May 30, 2012

Last night, despite National Weather Forecast warnings for thunderstorms, hail and tornados, Brian and I ventured to the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley.  Marisa McClellan was signing her recent book, Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round (also the name of her fabulous canning blog).  Blogger book signings are so rare in our area that I couldn’t resist traveling the hour and a half to meet her.

marisa mcclellan
The ride there was uneventful and we arrived in plenty of time to try out some of the samples Marisa brought, explore the bookstore, and make small talk with Marisa.  The presentation was probably the best book signing I’ve ever been to.  

pickling demo
Marisa conducted the fastest, simplest fridge pickling demonstration I’ve ever seen and then answered a range of audience questions.  Regarding my ever exploding applesauce, she suggested that the issue is the repeated cooling and heating of the applesauce and recommended keeping it hot to avoid the leaking.  Marisa also spoke about lactofermentation, alternative sweeteners, canning safety and types of pectin.  It seemed like she had a clear answer for everything.

food in jars

The talk really got me thinking about the way I approach canning.  As much as I enjoy the results, I always feel like it’s a whole day endeavor that requires tons of produce, effort and time.  Marisa’s book is about small batch canning–1, 2, 3 or 4 jars at a time.  Smaller batches, less produce, and no need to heat the huge canning pot full of water.  The book is full of wonderful sounding recipes (apple-cranberry jam, orange vanilla curd, grainy white wine mustard) and I’m feeling really inspired to try them out knowing that it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming an task.  Marisa’s approach would allow me to make a wider variety of products and not spend my entire winter working through a big batch of something.  As a result, I’m really looking forward to canning this season.

The evening finished with the signing.  I was kind of shocked when Marisa said she’d seen and sometimes reads Relishments, but she’s apparently one of the those quality bloggers who reads commenters sites; somehow I managed to maintain my composure after this revelation and not make a fool of myself.  Marisa was incredibly genuine and informative and I’m really glad I got to meet her, even if Brian had to drive home in a downpour.

Related Posts

Review: Cooked by Michael Pollan
Getting Carried Away with Canning
Winter Cocktails Cookbook Review
Reading List: Rest and Community
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Filed Under: books, events Tagged With: books, canning

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Comments

  1. Jen Solak says

    June 3, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I’m glad you ventured into the wild weather! Also, orange vanilla curd? YUM!

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Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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#NorthAdams #NAmazing
Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
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#AdamsMA #igers413_food
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I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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