Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Champions of Youth Ambitions
She loves baking, but canning is her passion, who is she? Amanda from The Enchanted Jammery, and she’s a community partner in the inaugural Eat Dessert First fundraiser for Champions of Youth Ambitions.
“I grew up watching my grandmother canning, baking and cooking, she was the original Betty Crocker,” said Amanda Leibe, the owner and founder of The Enchanted Jammery. “She taught me so much in the kitchen.” Her grandmother not only taught her many skills but would be proud of the woman and entrepreneur that she has become today.
About 10 years ago she wanted to start sharing the precious tradition that Amanda feels are being lost to time. “It’s so important we keep safe food preservation through canning for the next generations,” and in 2018, she launched the Jammery! “I love harvesting fruit, wild foraging, and preserving them for the off season,” the local business owner said. “I also love gardening vegetables and canning my own harvests, also. Becoming a mom has motivated me to cook more healthy for my family. Safe canning takes learning, time and taking in a lot of knowledge to make sure you are following safe food preservation methods.”
The work has paid off and she’s currently in school to become a Master Food Preserver. Her favorite product is her Wild Harvest varieties.” I love hiking into the Jemez Mountains to forage for Rose Hips, Choke Cherries and Prickly Pears,” Liebe said. “It’s been a long tradition for hundreds of years, and it so peaceful.” Her New Mexico Wild Harvest Capulin Jelly or Choke Cherry is her favorite and you can find her on-line and at a variety of craft fairs during the fall and winter months.
Champions of Youth Ambitions also announces the participation of Smith’s in White Rock, Trader Joes’s in Santa Fe and a newcomer to the Los Alamos food scene with a new plan just ahead.
Laura Crucet and her staff at The Pig and Fig in White Rock were first on the menu. Their contribution of mini desserts is only a hint at what is ahead. The possibility of others joining the cause increases as time continues. A list of all participating venues grows and can be seen on the C’YA Facebook page and on the Los Alamos Daily Post.
The non-profit will offer to go boxes with one available for $15 or two for $25.00. The boxes will feature a minimum of three desserts, but rumor has it that more will be in the offering. Shoppers can simply reserve their box(es) but calling or texting C’YA at 505.695.9139 or emailing them at cya.org@att.net .
The team will assemble the boxes in an industrial kitchen at the United Church of Los Alamos at 2525 Canyon Road from 6 p.m.–8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4. Payment can be made at the time of pickup and beverages will be supplied while donors wait, at no cost. More details will be forth coming, as local eateries prepare for the big day.
Berries assemble to await their fate become preserves at The Enchanted Jammery. Courtesy photo