7 lb Rhubarb (abt. 6 quarts)

– leaves removed — stalks trimmed — cut in pieces 1 lb Dried figs

– cut in fine shreds 11 c Sugar

1 c Mixed candied fruit peel

– chopped Mix rhubarb, figs and sugar in an earthenware crock or large jar. Cover and let stand all night. The next day, boil the mixture for at least an hour, or until very thick. Add the candied peel before the mixture is taken off the heat. Pour jam into warm jars and cover. Process. Yield: About 9 pints.

4 qt Tender hearts of palm

2 tb Salt

1 qt ;Cold water

1 oz Mustard seed

1 1/4 oz Dry mustard

3 c Granulated sugar

2 tb Turmeric

1 1/2 c Flour

Red pepper; to taste 2 qt Cider vinegar

1 Lemon; juice and rind of

Be sure that all tough fiber is trimmed from heart of palm. Cut the tender white portion of heart into small strips. Place these strips to soak in salted water. Let sit in a cool place for two days. On the morning of the third day, pour off all salt water, wash palm pieces well in clear water and drain. Mix the mustard seed, mustard, sugar, turmeric, flour, red pepper and vinegar. Boil slowly, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the juice of a lemon and the rind, sliced into tiny slivers. Cook 10 minutes. Add the pieces of palm, bring to a boil, and boil 2 minutes. Fill hot, sterilized pint jars with the pickles and seal while hot. From _Our Best Recipes_ by Lena E. Sturges, Food Editor. Birmingham, AL: Oxmoor House, Inc., 1970. Pg. 184. Library of Congress Catalog Number 70-140493.

28 oz Dried figs (used both

-homemade and commercial) 5 c ;Water

1/2 c Fresh lemon juice

3 c Sugar

Seeds from juiced lemons 1 ts Ground cardamom

1 tb Dark rum

Place figs in 4 qt pot. Add all water, cover pot, bring to a boil and remove pot from heat. Let the pot of figs sit for at least an hour to plump them. Remove figs from the dark water with a slotted spoon. Reserve the water. Cut stems off figs with scissors and chop figs medium coarse by hand or in a processor. Add lemon juice and sugar to the fig water. Set water to a second boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes. Tie up seeds into a cheesecloth bundle and drop in fig water. Drop the chopped figs into the fig water. Bring fig jam to another boil, then let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Jam should be slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Take out the cheesecloth bag. Stir in the rum and cardamom well. Ladle into 1 pint jars (1/2 pint works, too), leaving 1/4″ headspace. Seal jars according to manufacturers instructions. Process jars for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath. Yield: About 4 pints.