
I know I just said that I
don't eat the seeds of pomegranates, but after the vast majority of you said "Why bother?" I proceeded to give it another try. Guess what?

Last weekend, I attended a collective canning event. Sponsored by
Fallen Fruit, an activist group that promotes the planting of public fruit trees, the
public fruit jam was a free, communal jam-making session where participants shared fruit and jam-making tips.
I arrived with empty jars and lots of plums, and left with new friends, half a dozen jars of different kinds of jam, and the know-how to make fruit preserves.

Lately I've been drawn to preparing everyday vegetables in unexpected ways: Last week, I wrote about
turnips and the spicy quality they take on when served raw in a salad. Likewise, when I saw a recipe for braised
radishes, I couldn't wait to try it. Unlike turnips, which are often found simmering in stews, radishes are typically served raw in salads or as crudités.

We're well into pear season, and if it wasn't obvious to you already,
pears — much like
apples — come in many different shapes and colors. Can you tell one from the other? I'll walk you through the different varieties of pears and their differences in taste, texture, and flavor.