Having viewed some of the competition and exhibit standards at the Gundagai Show, I have decided to enter produce in the 98th Annual Adelong Show.
I picked up the program today at the post office and have examined the classes of competition. As I have hardly any vegetable produce at the moment, I have decided to enter Section J - Jams, Jellies and Preserves. I am entering three classes:
- Class 9 - Tomato Jam, any added flavouring
- Class 22 - Plum sauce, and
- Class 27 - Chutney, AOV
Each entry will set me back $0.50c and prizes are $2.00 for a win and $1.00 for second place. But its not the riches I seek... it's the fame. Fancy being known around town as the maker of the winning Tomato Jam!
Here are my entries - first, Class 9 - Tomato Jam, any added flavouring.
This fetching jar of produce is a Tomato and Chilli Jam. Made with tomatoes, apple, chilli and red capsicum, it is a sweet tomato jam with a mild chilli bite. It is extremely versatile being equally delicious with cold meats, or with Asian dishes. It has the approved plain lid. I have made this Tomato Jam pretty much annually for years, it's a real favourite - let's hope it works for the judges. I am a little worried that the ladies might not like the chilli...
This large tall jar contains a recently made Spicy Plum Sauce. It was made from plums gleaned from the side of the road (but perhaps I should keep this fact quiet, lest gleaning be frowned upon). A previous blog post documents the recipe used - largely made up from my own head. Perhaps a fatal mistake?
And here is my entry for Class 27 - Chutney, AOV.
Being perplexed about the meaning of AOV, I called one of the Stewards. She patiently and clearly communicated that it stood for ANY OTHER VARIETY. I felt a bit stupid! Let's hope she doesn't remember my voice. You see Class 26 is a Tomato Chutney and therefore Class 27 may be a chutney of another type. This fact now being clear, I am submitting my recently made Peach Chutney made from home grown peaches also previously posted upon and also made up from my own head. My fear with this preserve is that the ladies might find my fruit a bit chunky.And do the judges like tomato seeds or are these frowned upon?
I need your help here .... Unfortunately the jar lids in class 22 and 27 have some commercial writing on them. This is not acceptable according to the Handy Hints for Pavilion Exhibitors. So apparently it is acceptable to present your preserves with a cellophane top. So should I just remove the screw lid and place the cellophane on top? I am not permitted to cover the offending commercial writing with a fancy cloth cap.
And I would think that I should add the cellophane film as close to submission as possible don't you? To minimise any potential ill effects of opening the currently sterilised jar in a still warm climate? But then I am nervous about transporting the jars the 20kms to the Adelong Show Ground capped only with a flimsy cellophane film.
Wish me luck!
Clearly this path is fraught with danger! I am sure you will triumph, even if it take a season or two to encourage traditional palates out of their comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteI think the danger inherent in the cellophane lid is that it would seem not to be adequately sealed to the astute preservers amongst the judges. Maybe you should factor this difficulty in for next year and preserve at first with cellophane on the hot chutney and this year hunt for plain lids of appropriate dimension, even if it entails buying produce! Good luck with the competition!
Hmm, you are right, the seal won't look or sound right. I'm in it for a bit of participant observation really! A little bit of anthropology.
DeleteOr maybe you could paint the lids? (The cellophane won't suck down tight like it does on a hot jar as it cools). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteyes, this is a good idea. it allows me to maintain that popping seal sound....
DeleteOh that is exciting. Good luck. I have no experience with cellophane lids but they don't sound sturdy. I think Asparagus Pea's suggestions of painting the lids sounds sensible.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I am moving away from the cellophane ... I am now contemplating getting some contact and sticking a sturdy patch on the offending writing. I am worried about how messy my painting might be!
DeleteI think I would err on the side of replacing the lids with a plain white one (or similar). Cellophane seems fraught with danger and painting, while good in theory might be hard to get to adhere to the lid while avoiding the rest of the jar. As the chutney will be opened soon anyway (I presume they actually taste it?) i don;t think replacing the lid would matter. If you were concerned about it wanting the popping sound you could always give it a quick water bath. I love that you are entering! i'm also wondering if you've posted you tomato and chilli jam recipe before (I think I remember seeing it?) - I want to make some in the next few weeks and would love to try your recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, I might have to search out other plain lids, that's a journey to the back of the cupboard. My tomato and chilli Jam is in my recipe index. I really like this one. It has surprisingly few chillies in it, I usually increase the number to make sure it has a bite.
DeleteGood luck! I've always wanted to enter something in a show, but been too scared. Your entries sound delicious. As for the lids, I was going to suggest painting them in the local football colours, just to really impress the judges... but maybe not! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the footy colours, but I am afraid I live very close to what's called the Barassi Line - that wiggly line that runs thru NSW that separates the Rugby League supporters from the Aussie Rules supporters. Being so close to the cusp, I am likely to offend half the stewards!
DeleteHaving half your gardens located in the bush, you should seek out your local ag show...
I've just looked up the show closest to the Country Garden and it is in Feb, so I've got 11 months to practice! ;)
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