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| Artificial Preserves |
| At Cucina Latella, an edible delight became an everlasting decoration. |
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Following a family tradition, Lyn Latella used to make real homemade preserves. Trouble was, her beautiful arrangements were ruined once the family dipped into the jars to eat them! So Lyn came up with the idea of making artificial preserves.
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The preserves are non-edible, designed specifically for decoration. The fruit and vegetables are made offsite from timber and resin moulds. Individual pieces are then hand-painted to specifications that have been refined and developed over the years. They are then coated with a lacquer, so the dyes won't run.
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Arranging the fruit and vegetables in the jars is a painstaking process. It's almost like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Once all the pieces are perfectly positioned in the jars, a mystery solution is added. Next, the jar tops are dipped in a hot coloured wax, then in cold water to bring out the shine. Silk ropes are wound around the top of the jars and they are then ready for display. Each jar is individually designed and no two jars are identical.
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Jars range in size from 600ml to 30 litres. The different types of fruit and vegetables available include chillis, pomegranates, figs, plums, pears, carrots, snow peas, star fruit, cherries, apples, tomatoes and limes. Lyn and her husband, Giacomo, based in Balmain, Sydney, sell their preserves to home decorators, restaurants, hotels, cafes, delis, convention and exhibition centres and chefs.
Meanwhile, here's a recipe for Real Tomato Preserves - the edible variety. You'll need 24 egg tomatoes and a 1 x 1 litre traditional preserving jar, sterilised, complete with ring, clip and lid. Then follow the instructions.
a) Cut the ends off the tomatoes, then cut in quarters, leaving skin but removing any brown core.
b) Place tomatoes firmly in jar. Don't add any water.
c) Place ring, lid and clip on top of jar to ensure an airtight fit.
d) Place the jar into a pot of cold water and bring to boil in the bottling outfit or large saucepan. As the rubber seal expands it will expel excess air from the jar.
e) Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
f) When you are ready to eat the preserves, wedge a knife under the lid to remove it. Let the fruit breathe for an hour before eating.
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Cost
Prices for Cucina Latella decorative preserves start at $45 for a 600ml jar and range up to $1500 for a 15 litre jar.
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More Info
Contact Cucina Latella - Artificial Decorative Preserves, ph: (02) 9810 8347, fax: (02) 9810 7505.
Preserving jars and bottling kits are available through Kmart or Mitre 10 stores.
http://www.cucinalatella.com
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Disclaimer
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