THE JAMLADY COOKBOOK

Alfeld's enthusiasm for "putting up" nature's bounty and her background in organic farming, teaching, science and cooking make her the perfect instructor in this book on canning. She assures readers that creating homemade jams, jellies, butters, chutneys and relishes can be safe, satisfying and, of course, delicious. Although hers is not exactly a book for beginners, an early chapter dealing with processing methods and general troubleshooting, and a later one on pH measurements (essential for safety) are indeed thorough. In between are several hundred recipes, incorporating a diverse assortment of fruits and vegetables, all of which have been tested on Jamlady's admiring customers at Chicago's farmers markets. Novices will enjoy making Classic Pineapple Jam, which uses canned fruit; and speedy Microwaved Orange Marmalade. However, Jamlady's heart is in the more complex concoctions, such as Marnier Strawberry-Peach Jam, Tomato-Basil Jelly (nice on hamburgers), Nectarine-Almond Conserve and Pear Honey. Alfeld (who refers to herself as Jamlady) stocks each chapter with how-tos, ingredient information, sources, history, chemistry, philosophy, family stories and humor. Color illus. (Aug.)