Falling in love with preserving

Published on 03 November 2023

Cindy Bunt has an unwavering devotion to the seasons – it’s what lies behind her love of preserving the fruits of every harvest, a love that has led her to found her own cooking, gardening and art school.

Now Ms Bunt is ready to share her decades of knowledge in Glenelg Shire – and its simplicity will leave you wondering how such a task can be so easy.

Fall in Love With Preserving is the name of Ms Bunt’s first cookbook, and she’ll be talking about it and the art behind what she does in free sessions at Casterton and Portland libraries on Thursday, 16 November.

Ms Bunt runs her own cooking, gardening and art school The Post and Rail in Compton, near Mount Gambier.

With decades of experience preserving produce from more than 100 different varieties of fruit trees, 46 different citrus trees, and more than 1000 square metres of vegetable garden, there isn’t much she doesn’t know about preserving.

Her passion for preserves comes from her desire to capture the amazing flavour of in-season produce.

And while nothing can beat the flavour of a fresh peach, picked straight off the tree and still warm from the sun, after eating about 50 of them you’ll want a way to preserve the other 300 peaches on the tree in a way that still captures its exquisite flavour.

Ms Bunt’s modern approach to preserving throws out the rule book. Her aim is to make preserves better (hello Quince Cheeks in Vanilla Syrup) or the next best thing to eating the produce fresh and in season.

Ms Bunt’s sense of humour, generous spirit and love of sharing shines through each page of this book, creating a feeling of warmth and generosity.

Her no-nonsense, there’s-always-a-shortcut method is truly life changing. There are no sterilising jars or long-winded processes. Her simple methods will have you in and out of the kitchen in no time, making preserving a joy and something to look forward to with each season.

Ms Bunt will be in conversation talking about her cookbook, before leading a preserve-making demonstration.

Her book and preserves will be available for purchase at both events.

Details

Thursday 16 November

Casterton Library 1pm – 2pm

Portland Library 6.30pm – 7.30pm

FREE Events, tea/coffee provided Bookings preferred, phone 5522 2265