No time like the present to relish some downtime

THIS TIME OF YEAR there is no shortage of vegetables and fruits to preserve. I find the practice to be quite relaxing and therapeutic.

In that regard, others might find preserving – or some other pastime – to be useful, as I do notice a lot of people rushing around, perhaps going from one appointment to another. There’s plenty of impatient drivers behind the wheel who could benefit from slowing down, literally and figuratively.

Given the shop’s location, I know our downtown core is very busy with traffic – transport trucks bouncing through and many cars passing rushing to their destinations, which doesn’t make for a nice shopping experience. A few times in the last year, people walking to work in Elmira – our shop included – have been almost hit or encountered an agitated driver. My little guy also crossing the street at a crosswalk with the lights had a car drive right

through the intersection.

That kind of thing is truly scary. Perhaps we all need a little slow down, to, well, relish something like my therapeutic preserving time. As a bonus, the preserves can be used to make something as delicious as this Tomato Apple Relish.

Why not give it a try? That applies to slowing down and this tasty recipe. Happy cooking.

2 red onions, diced 12 tomato, diced 6 cloves chopped garlic 2 Tbsp. chopped ginger 4 kg of peeled and diced apples 16 oz red wine vinegar 16oz cider vinegar 16 oz white sugar 16oz brown sugar 5 whole peppercorns 1/2 tsp. crushed chilies

Put all ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until the juices thicken slightly, approximately one hour.

Jar the relish and store in fridge. Or preserve in sealed jars and process in boiling water for 12 minutes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Never Enough Thyme Catering Inc. was created with one thought in mind ... to create more thyme! Enjoy our food shop, specialty cakes and catering. 83A Arthur St. S., Elmira. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.