Hey friends! August is here and things are moving fast out at the farm — the garden doesn't slow down for anybody, and neither do we! This month we're talking about one of our absolute favorite things to make, some exciting news about canning classes coming up, and a recipe that is perfect for your next get-together. Let's get into it.
Well, the figs are coming in — at least at my brother's place! His trees are going absolutely wild right now. Mine are about 15 miles down the road and not quite ready yet, which just goes to show that nature does things on her own schedule. But we're watching them close and the minute they're ripe, we'll be making a batch of our award-winning Fig Preserves.
That's right — our Fig Preserves took Best of Show at the 2022 NC State Fair. We are so proud of that one, and honestly, once you try them you'll understand why.
Now, a lot of people hear "fig preserves" and think biscuits — which, yes, absolutely, always — but figs are so much more versatile than people give them credit for. Here are some of our favorite ways to use them:
Figs are wonderful for digestion and naturally sweet — which means our Fig Preserves are lower in sugar than most jams. All that flavor, a little lighter on the sweet.
My mom used to eat them right off the tree — not me, but I do love everything you can do with them once they're in a jar. Whether it's a fig newton, a fig cake, or just a spoonful on a warm biscuit, they're something special. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for when this batch is ready!
We are so excited to share that we've got a full schedule of canning classes running all the way through December! These are held at Compassionate Kitchen, located behind White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Willow Spring — a great little spot and a fun way to spend a morning or evening learning a skill you'll use for life.
Two dates each month — a morning session and an evening option so you can pick what works best for your schedule. Here's the full lineup:
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| August 8th | 10am – 12pm |
| August 14th | 6:30 – 8:30pm |
| September 5th | 10am – 12pm |
| September 18th | 6:30 – 8:30pm |
| October 3rd | 10am – 12pm |
| October 16th | 6:30 – 8:30pm |
| November 7th | 10am – 12pm |
| November 13th | 6:30 – 8:30pm |
| December 12th | 10am – 12pm |
| December 18th | 6:30 – 8:30pm |
Spots fill up, so don't wait too long! Reach out to us at sugarhilljams@gmail.com or message us on Facebook to sign up or get more details.
This one is a party staple — easy to throw together, keeps great in the fridge, and disappears fast once it hits the table. You'll need a jar of our Corn Relish to make it!
Mix everything together until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving — this gives all those flavors time to get friendly with each other.
Tortilla chips, Frito Scoops, or pita chips — any of them work great. Perfect for cookouts, game days, or anytime you need something people will keep coming back for.
That's all from us for August! We love getting to share what's going on at the farm each month, and we're so grateful for each and every one of you who follows along and supports Sugar Hill Jams and More. It really does mean the world.
Come see us at the Jelly Hut, sign up for a class, or just reach out to say hey — we'd love to hear from you!
— Sugar Hill Jams and More