Yes, you can can
Garden produce is coming in, which is great, but how to extend this bounty throughout the year? By canning and preserving. Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-ops are offering several classes: pressure canning on July 19; old-fashioned dill pickles on July 26; canning basics on Aug. 15; fruit fools and bachelor's jam on Aug. 16, and refrigerator pickles on Aug. 19. (What's bachelor's jam, you ask? A process of layering fruits as they come into season with sugar and brandy to produce a heady concoction that you can drink or use as a topping.) Most classes are from $20-$30 (less for co-op members) and all are at the co-op at 1500 W. 7th St. in St. Paul. For class details and to register, visit www.msmarket.coop/events.
Grilling for Egg-heads
Grilling season is in full force, and the Green Egg grills have outlasted their initial reception as ceramic curiosities and become familiar backyard sights. A pro from Big Green Egg Grills will lead a free grilling class from 5:30-7 p.m. July 22 at Gerten's, the huge nursery greenhouse at 5500 Blaine Av. in Inver Grove Heights. You can also check out the "eggcessories" and more such plays-on-words. Preregister for the event at www.gertens.com/events.
Christopher Kimball, live!
See the host of public television's "America's Test Kitchen" on the stage of the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Christopher Kimball — he's also the founder of Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country Magazine — will be joined by test cook Dan Souza in a show that will feature advice, cooking demonstrations, taste-tests and audience participation. "America's Test Kitchen Live" is set for Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($48.50, $58.50 and $104) go on sale at 11 a.m. on Friday July 10 at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.) or at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or 1-800-982-2787.
Lake Minnetonka revisited
Tiffany Winter grew up on Lake Minnetonka and brought her homegrown enthusiasum to "Lake Minnetonka Eats," her collection of recipes from the area's restaurants, from Coalition's Strawberry Watermelon Salad to the Lafayette Club's Cauliflower-Pancetta Soup. She will have a book signing from 5:30-8 p.m. on July 21 at the Bayview Event Center (687 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior), with food samples from the book. The volume is available for $25.95 at www.lakeminnetonkaeats.com.
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