For the sake of disclosure, this is a woman owned small business run by my husband’s friend, Hillary. I support her because she is a family friend, and also because by introducing me to her products, I have become addicted to her pepper jellies! I can no longer eat cheese without one of the several varieties, and for the Winter I have stocked up on the Hell Fire Pepper Jelly because I need hot to help me through the colder months! Here is her story:
Hi! Thanks for stopping by Jenkins Jellies. I’m Hillary Danner and happy to give you some history on how Jenkins evolved. I was a working actress in Los Angeles for over 10 years. In 1997 I moved to Highland Park, bought my first home and had two children. I found myself at a crossroads juggling kids and call-backs, so I turned to my garden for inspiration. Surrounded by a plethora of citrus & fig trees along with an abundant vegetable garden — I grabbed the Ball canning jar book and taught myself how to make fruit jams, butters and the like. I opened a small boutique, celebrating local artists, and started sampling my jellies on our monthly art-walk nights. The crowds went wild for my preserved offerings – especially the pepper jelly! The artisanal food scene was just emerging in Los Angeles and I was jumping from one pop-up market to another, trying to keep up with the demand — hand pouring jars in my kitchen. Even though I experienced numerous learning-on-the-job missteps, Jenkins Jellies started receiving celebrity accolades from folks like Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Daphne Oz, Mario Batali, Blythe Danner, Kate Capshaw and more! (Clearly it was time to get out of the kitchen and find a co-packer!)
I have all of the other flavors as well, almost all empty, because, well, cheese!
Support her small business and enjoy some of the best pepper jellies on the market! Trust me, I am a food yuppie as my dad says! Here is the website: Savory, Sweet & irresistibly spicy hot pepper jam; vegan, gluten-free – Jenkins Jellies
And here is an older article showing my Jenkins Jellies as part of a charcuterie plate, click here.
Lastly, I get their newsletter, and am about to try this delicious recipe for Spicy Bacon Jam Brussel Sprouts where Hillary substituted her delicious Hell Fire Pepper Jelly for a less hot jelly! Get the newsletter for more info!
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