Discover local preserves and sauces in Wellington County and Guelph
There are a number of ways to carry the tastes and sunshine of summer into the colder months. Preserving fruit and vegetables must be one of the best ways to spice up the season with some delicious harvest produce. Look for locally canned fruit and vegetables when shopping for preserves. Here are some of the best locally made preserves you may want to look out for. (Pssst.... they make great gifts, too!)
Local Preserves and Sauces
The Barrel House
Not only barrel makers recycling barrels, woods and other pieces into furniture, gift and decor items, they also offer fresh baked goods and pickles locally sourced and using barrel aged food ingredients. Pre-order by Wednesday for a Friday or Saturday pickup time. www.facebook.com/brlmaker2
The Breadalbane Gourmet
The Breadalbane boasts two award-winning restaurants, each with their own distinct flare for locally sourced food, as well as an Inn featuring eleven charming suites and a four-suite Carriage house, right in downtown Fergus. The Breadalbane Gourmet was created when they developed their famous Apple Cider Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette, which is gluten, dairy, nut and preservative free. They recently released a line of Breadalbane Ketchup in regular or spicy, and their Secret Burger Sauce, as well as a Maple Whiskey Premium BBQ Sauce. They are branded as "a must-have farm to table experience"! All are available for purchase at the restaurant and select local retailers. www.breadalbaneinn.com
Chef Scott Yates
One of the most exciting recent collaborations of two unique local businesses: Chef Scott Yates created this incredibly delicious BBQ sauce using Dixon's Distilled Spirits Oatshine. A wonderful gift for the smoke BBQ lover in your family. You can pick up the sauce (and locally crafted spirits) at the distillery, or grab a bottle at Market Fresh. Scott has as also teamed up with Wellington Brewery to create a Kickin' BBQ Sauce. It features the unique aroma and bright flavours of locally grown hops. Combined with freshly shredded horseradish, maple syrup and the other local ingredients, this BBQ Sauce is perfect on any meat or fish. Kick back and enjoy! www.chefscottyates.com | www.dixonsdistilledspirits.com | www.wellingtonbrewery.ca
Country Flavours
This local company out of Ariss prepares a large selection of fruit, vegetable preserves as well as pickled eggs. Our favourites are their 'hot' jams, a unique twist on traditional flavours such as cherry, strawberry and apple. Look out for their products at Taste RealOM retailers and country markets, including Mosborough Country Market, Strom's Farm and Bakery, Dar's Country Market, Market Fresh, Rowe Farms and Wellington Country Marketplace.
Elora Distilling Company
Combined with Elora Distilling Company's barrel-aged, black spiced Royal Rum and a secret recipe, this mouthwatering Kansas City-style BBQ is a masterpiece. The Juniper Court Royal Gold BBQ Sauce is sweet and smokey, with hints of warming spices from their own local rum. It's perfect on pork, chicken or beef...and everything in between. Purchase online or in their retail shop downtown Elora. www.eloradistillingcompany.com
Green Table Foods
If you're looking for different - go Green Table Foods. Their 'living' wild fermented vegetables are completely vegan, gluten free, pro-biotic and enzyme rich. (A great treat for your gut during holiday feasts!) Our favourite: Kale Kimchi - just the right level of spice, to be enjoyed as a condiment with a meat and cheese board, or best - just by itself! their products are available locally at Fraberts Fresh Food, Market Fresh, Planet Bean, The Stone Store and more. www.greentablefoods.com
Neighbourhood Group of Companies
If you are looking for local, this is it. The Neighbourhood Group operates restaurants that promote locally crafted food and beverages while championing the farmers and producers that make them. They have created gluten free, gourmet, small batch Neighbourhood Goods sauces. Choose from Fire Breather Hot Sauce, Apple Mustard or Original BBQ. Pick up at any of the Neighbourhood restaurants in Guelph! www.neighbourhoodgroup.com/restaurants
Pressed for Time Paninis
Made from scratch, Pressed for Time Paninis serves creative, homemade food, fast and efficiently with a flair for exotic flavours. They curate small batches of Whiskey mustard, vinaigrette or be sure to try their Really Really Hot Sauce located in store or available on their online shop. www.pressedfortimepaninis.ca
Rootham Gourmet Preserves
Wellington's best known preserve company has a huge line up of excellent jams, jellies, relishes, chutneys, antipasti, mustard, salad dressings and salsas. Our favourite has to be their award-winning tangy red peppery jelly - a classic, best enjoyed with baked brie or other cheeses. Speaking of cheeses, check out the gift idea section on their website for brie bakers, cheese boards and gift boxes. Locally available at Market Fresh, Dar's Country Market, Fergies Fine Foods, Creative Edge, Rowe Farms and other locations. See website for full list. www.roothamsgourmet.com
Sorry Sauce
Mapleton's own Sorry Sauce is an award winning, farm to table, craft batch hot sauce made the Canadian way with a free apology in every bottle. They've won a Canadian Hot Sauce Award for the Best New Sauce of 2021. Their "Curry Curry Hard" Sauce won the top spot this year, while their “Fresh Cents” sauce won the award for Best Jalapeno Sauce in 2020. Sorry Sauce is primarily sold at farmers' markets within the county, including Rockwood and Mapleton Township. This upcoming season, they will have a permanent spot at the Guelph Farmers' Market, or you can order online. www.sorrysauce.ca
Strom's Farm and Bakery
Strom's Farm and Bakery is second generation farm started in 1978 and are known for their quality produce and exceptional fall experiences. They grow their own haskap berries right on the farm, and produce haskap syrup, jam, sauces, along with the new addition of haskap vinaigrette! Grab yours in their retail store located at the farm (open seasonally). www.strom.ca
Top Market Meats
As 5th generation local family farmers, they believe in local food products and the value in their worth. As part of such, they have created a line of delicious, sweet, and smokey BBQ sauces - perfect for sausage on a bun! Try a "Farmers daughter" with orange undertones or a "Farmers son", a honey sweet start with a kick of heat finish! www.topmarketmeats.ca
For more preserves, check out Wellington County's wonderful Farmers' Markets.
Canning Tips
- Buy Local! If you don't grow your own produce in your backyard or at a community plot, consider purchasing from your local Farmers' Market or neighbouring farm.
- You don’t need to make massive quantities of in order to can pickles, or jams. There are lots of small batch recipes that can be found online with a simple search.
- A lot of the nutrients in produce are located in the peels. When making applesauce or other similar products, consider using a blender to make the sauce from the skins along with the pulp.
- Make your own pickling spices. Get creative and experiment with combinations including coriander, fennel, and mustard seeds, allspice, ginger, chilies or cloves.
- Remember to sterilize your jars and lids. You can do this in boiling water.
Recipes
From watermelon rinds, pickled vegetables to butters, jams and everything in between, discover timeless canning recipes from Taste of Home here.
