A DIY Pomander recipe, readings, and more
Plus new classes: Bogolan (mudcloth) and Appalachian ferments
Happy New Year!
I hope you've had a restful end of the year, and that 2021 is starting out in full, fun force.
Below are a few exciting updates, PLUS a new recipe for you to try this winter.
And as always, we're here to give some food-loving support to your creative projects, give private cooking lessons, and more.
Just shoot me an email at julia@root-kitchens.com with your needs and ideas!
What’s going on at Root:
We have two courses available for presale, so you can start the year learning some new skills!
Appalachian preserves:
The Appalachian preserves mini-course is now available for presale. It’s a fun and affordable way to learn some new skills while you’re stuck at home this winter, all born from the rich and diverse world of the southern Appalachians. If you’re a Root member, congrats, you’ve gotten the course for free!
Mudcloth:
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Senegalese mixed media artist Abdala Faye as well as our friends at Fermentation School to offer a unique virtual bogolan (mudcloth) course.
Mudcloth has been a part of West African textile arts for centuries, and is a beautiful and fun dye process you can do at home. Preorders are open now (and Root members get 10% off).
What I’m reading:
The Quaran(Tiny) Guide, from Anna Brones & Emily Dilling. This was published by Comestible Journal, which features beautiful writing and breathtaking, stark black and white illustrations.
Bettina Makalintal made this incredible round-up of some favorite pieces from 2020, and all are worth a read.
What I’m making:
Orange and clove pomander.
This month the member newsletter featured nutmeg and mace, as a part of my larger exploration of spices in human history (a LOT has been written on this, so there’s no dearth of sources to explore).
A previous member email was all about cloves, and inspired this month’s kitchen project: pomanders.
Clove-studded oranges are one of my favorite winter crafts, and look great stacked in a bowl or wrapped in a ribbon and hung in the house. I find making them to be meditative, and the smell and pomander-making process both transport me back to my childhood, when we made these regularly.
Pomanders are simple to make: just take the tapered end of the clove and press it through the orange’s skin, then repeat.
You can make designs with the cloves (swirls are my personal favorite), or just put them wherever you’d like.
Oftentimes with smaller, less juicy oranges they will dry out and can be used to scent your home for months.
However, keep an eye on them if you use larger, juicy oranges. I’ve found those will sometimes mold rather than dry out (but will still make a beautiful pomander for a few weeks before they do).
Cheers!