African Relish (in the Karoo town of Prince Albert) is hosting a weekend course with Oded Schwartz, the master of preserving.  We visited Oded’s Kitchen back in April, and learnt the basics, but this course will give budding preservers out there quite a bit more detail!

It’s called ‘The Art of Preserving’ and runs from 22 – 24 October 2010.

Details:

“Preserving abundance is a prudent pastime so make hay while the sun shines, as the cliché goes. The art of preserving goes far beyond the humble jar of apricot jam. The world of preserving opens up an Aladdin’s Cave of treasures to fill up your pantry for the lean months, so come and learn how simple it is to master this craft. Oded Schwartz is the wizard who will guide us through the steps to bottled utopia”

Group bookings receive discounted rates. For more info, visit AfricanRelish.com.

Oded Schwartz and a selection of his preserves

Oded is an expert in just about every preserve you can think of, whipping up huge batches of everything from old-fashioned sweet-and-sour gherkins to strawberry and vodka jam. He’s always experimenting with new techniques and ingredients, as evidenced by his onion konfyt (prepared like South African figs traditionally are) and bayonnaise (a creamy condiment made from oil and flesh from the baobab fruit).

(PS. Note the Jack Black beer on the counter – thanks to our artisinal brewers for keeping us refreshed during the talk.)

Mixed vegetable pickle, pickled eggs and delicious preserves

Oded shared some of his own secret ingredients and methods with us. For example, he finds Khoi San salt the best for brining. A Slow Food favourite too, this flaky pure sea salt is hand-harvested up the West Coast. Since most of his preserves and dishes have a Mediterranean flavour, Oded imports some of his ingredients, like his tahini. But you’ll understand why when you taste his amazing baba ganoush!

Dozens of strong, fresh flavours - washed down with Jack Black

Saturday’s little taster left us wanting more, so Slow Food Mother City will be arranging a full four-hour course with Oded in a few months’ time. If you have ideas of what you’d like to learn, or want to be notified of when the course is running, please e-mail info@slowfoodmothercity.co.za.