Preserving
Make the most of each season by preserving what’s abundant now. Whether you want to ferment vegetables, make jams and syrups, pickle your harvest or preserve herbs, you’ll find practical guides and recipes here to help you enjoy seasonal food for longer.
New to preserving? Start with the basics or explore the different preserving methods below.
PRESERVE THIS MONTH
What to Preserve in August
August brings an abundance of fruit, vegetables and herbs to preserve for the months ahead. These seasonal recipes and guides will help you make the most of what’s ready to harvest now.
Pickled Zucchini: From Garden Surplus to Flavour-Packed Treasure
Every gardener knows the cycle: the first zucchini of the season is a celebrated trophy, but by number ten, the family is in full revolt. If you’re watching your zucchini plants with a mix of pride and panic, this pickled zucchini recipe is your salvation. This simple preservation method transforms your garden surplus into flavor-packed jars that will brighten winter meals for months to come. The best part? No salting required, any size zucchini works (even those that have grown into baseball bats), and the recipe comes together in under an hour. With a tangy brine infused with curry, dill, and mustard seeds, these pickles are perfect for sandwiches, cheese boards, or mixed into potato mash for an unexpected flavor boost. Stop letting those zucchini go to waste—turn your overflow into a pantry treasure you’ll actually be excited to use all year long.Claude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Mastering Fermented Gherkins: Small Pickles, Big Flavor
Fermented gherkins are a delicious way to make the most of summer’s bounty — and far more flavorful than the typical store-bought jars. 🍶🥒 In this guide, you’ll learn how to turn fresh gherkins into crisp, tangy lacto-fermented pickles using just salt, water, and a few aromatics like dill, garlic, and spices. The process relies on a salty brine and tannin-rich leaves to keep those little cucumbers crunchy, and a cool fermentation period lets the flavors develop beautifully without getting overly sour. Whether you’re a fermentation novice or a preserving pro, this step-by-step recipe walks you through preparing the veggies, making the brine, and letting nature work its magic — resulting in jars of vibrant, probiotic-rich gherkins that’ll keep for months.
Homemade Gherkin Pickles Recipe – Crisp and Tangy in 3 Days
Making homemade gherkin pickles is easier than you might think! With just a few simple ingredients—fresh gherkins, vinegar, salt, sugar, and aromatic herbs—you can create pickles that are far superior to store-bought versions. The secret to that perfect satisfying crunch? An overnight salt brine soak that dehydrates the gherkins slightly, ensuring they stay crisp during preservation. Whether you’re topping burgers, adding to sandwiches, or simply snacking straight from the jar, these tangy, flavorful pickles are incredibly versatile. Follow this straightforward recipe to create delicious gherkin pickles that can be stored in the fridge for months or preserved for up to a year.
EXPLORE PRESERVING
Explore Preserving Topics
Choose a preserving method and find practical guides, recipes and troubleshooting advice to help you preserve seasonal ingredients with confidence.
Fermentation
Learn the basics of fermentation, troubleshoot common problems and find recipes for turning seasonal ingredients into flavourful ferments.
Pickling & Preserving
Find practical recipes and guides for pickling vegetables and preserving fruit and other seasonal produce in jars.
Jams, Jellies & Syrups
Turn seasonal fruit, flowers and herbs into homemade jams, jellies and syrups to enjoy long after their season has passed.
Herbs & Other Preserves
Explore simple ways to dry, freeze and preserve herbs and other seasonal ingredients that don’t quite fit into the preserving jar.
KEEP IN TOUCH
More Seasonal Ideas, Straight to Your Inbox
Follow the seasons with me. Get practical gardening, preserving and recipe ideas, new projects and occasional inspiration for making more of what each season has to offer