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Hallmark Magazine

Armenian Apricot Preserves

Assistant editor Amy Palanjian is guest-blogging today about a wonderful new fruit preserve she has found.  Coincidentally, the preserves come from a country (Armenia) to which she has very personal connection.  Here’s her story:

“My great-grandfather came to America from Armenia as a teenager around 1920.  He settled in Roxboro, PA (just outside of Philadelphia) and eventually married, has two sons and three grandchildren, including my father.  When my parents married in 1976, my dad (who had been an only child) was thoroughly absorbed into my mom’s big Italian family.  This meant meals that started with homemade pasta and ended with roasted potatoes and chicken, in-laws who owned an Italian meat market and a general surrender to all things Italian-American in terms food. 

When he was thrilled (and still is) to eat the cuisine of my mom’s family, I’ve always been curious about the food from his Armenian side.  I’ve only just stated to scratch the surface of the traditional foods from this middle eastern country, which makes me like the new line of preserves from a company called Harvest Song even more.  Using fruits grown in the ancient valley of Mount Ararta, Armenia, Harvest Song produces some of the most intensely flavored preserves I’ve ever tasted.   This includes preserves made from what are often called the best apricots in the world. 

I was perfectly satisfied eating the apricot preserves by the spoonful straight out of the jar, but I also paired them with a small chunk of parmesan and a plain cracker.  (Could be a simple way to update your holiday appetizer arsenal!) I’m planning to try as many of their other flavors as I can, especially the Golden Fig, Sour Cherry and Pear & Apple.  Added holiday bonus:  The preserves come in a jar that’s pretty enough to give as a gift, without wrapping it at all!”