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Edible DIY Gifts

Need easy holiday gifts that don’t break the bank, are personal, and will be appreciated?

Try these DIY preserves, granola, and pickles made with seasonal fruit and veggies or pantry staples. While small mason jars work well for these goodies, why not upcycle those cute empty glass jars from other foods and make them gift-worthy by covering the lids with pieces of fabric or paper held in place with a bow. 

Fancy granola can be really expensive, but you may have all of the ingredients you need right in your pantry! 

Simple Granola

  • 1/2 cup oil (coconut, canola, and olive work great, but use what you have) 
  • 1/2 cup sweetener (use what you have, but honey, maple syrup, and agave syrup are good options), or as desired
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon or other spices (optional) 
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • roughly 1 1/2 cups of add-ins (nuts and seeds, dried fruits, chocolate chips, etc.)

Click here for the full recipe.

Pickled Veggies

These quick-pickled vegetables need to be stored in the refrigerator but can be used like store-bought pickles in sandwiches, salads, as side dishes or snacks. 

Yields approximately 2 pint-sized jars 

5–6 cups fresh, crunchy, raw winter vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, radishes, and beets
2 cups vinegar: white, red wine, rice wine, or apple cider (or a combination)
6–10 cloves garlic
2 cups water
Salt and sugar
Whole spices such as coriander, fennel, and mustard seeds, peppercorns, bay leaves, etc., to taste

Click here for the full recipe.

Apple Sauce

Flavored with a hint of cinnamon and dressed up in a pretty jar, applesauce makes a great holiday gift and helps you use up end-of-season apples.

Yields approximately 3 cups

6 medium apples (roughly 3 pounds) 
1 cup water
1/4 cup turbinado or packed golden-brown sugar (or less, depending on desired sweetness)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Click here for the full recipe.

Dried Fruit

Gift your loved ones a delicious yet healthy treat! Dried apples make a great on-the-go snack and can be made in a regular oven. Persimmons and pears work, too.

5 apples
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 quart water
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Click here for the full recipe.

Preserved Lemons

A staple in Moroccan cooking, preserved lemons add a tart, salty, floral flavor to many dishes from roasted chicken to salads, dips, and condiments. 

Tip: If you have a lemon tree, this is a great way to use up extra fruit. Bonus: Unless you sprayed your lemons, you know they’re organic, which is important since you’ll be using the peel.

Yields approximately 2 pint-sized jars

6–8 whole lemons
4–5 tablespoons salt
Whole spices, such as black pepper, coriander, or cumin seeds, chili peppers, bay leaves, etc., to taste (optional)

Click here for the full recipe. 

 

Originally published on Edible East Bay, December 17, 2019.

Additional Recipes

Excess ripe fruit and even old preserves can be used to make delicious and healthy popsicles that everyone will love.
Surplus Fruit Popsicles
Turkey Soup
Onion rings are a simple and tasty way to use up bread crumbs.
Onion Rings
Supporting Community Through Food
Easy Macerated Berries
Reviving Mac & Cheese
Gazpacho
Use up excess carrots to make a healthy carrot bread
Carrot Bread