Carolyn Niethammer's Books - Savor the Southwest I produce a blog with two other remarkable women involved in the food of the Southwest. We discuss edible wild plants, foods that grow well here like citrus and olives, and flavors typical to the Southwest. Sometimes we'll highlight a new book by one of our colleagues. We take turns so there are three posts every month. The links will take you to the full blog.

From left, Alan Day, producer Stan Hustad and Russell True record an episode of "The Cowboy Up" podcast at White Stallion Ranch. The podcast explores aspects of cowboy culture and highlights authors and traditions.

Had fun discussing Tucson food and why Tucson was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy with the great guys at the Cowboy Up! podcast. The local paper ran an article about their all-things-Western podcast. Every week they interview somebody who has a great story to tell about life in the West.

You can read the article here and listen to the podcast with me here.

How to Make Jam with Less Sugar

June 12, 2020

Tags: Cactus, Carolyn Niethammer, barrel cactus, jam, Universal Pectin, A Desert Feast

A breakfast set out at EXO Roast with Rusty's barrel cactus jam and toast made from heritage wheat by Barrio Bread.

I love to make jam and marmalade, but I cringe at the amount of sugar in most recipes. That sugar is necessary to make the product jell. But in researching my new book "A Desert Feast," I spoke to many professional chefs and learned some secrets. One, from Rusty the cook at EXO Roast, is how to make jam with less sugar. Here's what I learned.