ADVERTISEMENT

    Unusual Eats: Tomato Jam and Banana Jam

    Based in Bucyrus, Ohio, Cooper’s Mill makes lots of classical jams and jellies. There’s Apple Jelly, Apricot Jam, Blueberry Jelly. If it’s a fruit, the business has probably made jelly out of it.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    And that includes bananas: bananas are a fruit. That also includes tomatoes: tomatoes are a fruit.

    It’d be sad to pass up the opportunity to try some of those unconventional jellies and jams. They’re not bad at all. In fact, they add a little zip and variety to the Ohio spread scene.

    jamsBanana Jam first; because it looks the most frightening. You know what a brown, overripe, rotten banana looks like? Then you know exactly what a jar of banana jam looks like. Pull off the lid, and it doesn’t look any more appealing. For those who crave a spread with iridescent, glimmering jewel tones, banana jam is not your flavor.

    But if you like Apple Butter — a soft, cinnamon-y harvest spread, then there’s room in your heart for Banana Jam. It has those holiday flavors in a vehicle that boasts the silky texture of bananas. It’s good on biscuits with butter. It’s probably good in a peanut butter sandwich too.

    Then there’s Tomato Jam. It’s red and shiny; a more familiar look for a jelly. In fact, it is jelly-like with a bouncy surface that cuts with a spoon. And the flavor? Surprisingly, very much like strawberry jelly. Having expected something rather more like ketchup, it was shockingly sweet and fruity: a whole different side to tomatoes.

    The label on the Cooper’s Mill goodies promises that the jar’s contents are “all natural”. More precisely, there’s no high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives involved in the recipes. The business makes a few other concoctions, including apple sauce, pickles and syrups. These particular offerings (along with lots of normal Cooper’s Mill jams and jellies) were found locally at Weiland’s Market in Clintonville.

    For more information, visit www.coopers-mill.com.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Restaurant Review: Treasures of Eclectic Influence at Hiraeth

    Hiraeth, a Short North project from the owners of...

    Treat to Try: Sugary, Sublime Hicks Family Fudge

    The cool thing about any food is when there’s...

    Ohio’s Own: Satisfying Snacking with Chips from JR’s Taters

    Here we are in March already. And you know what...

    Restaurant Review: Winning Wings from bb.q Chicken

    CM Chicken shines bright like a beacon in Columbus. No...
    Miriam Bowers Abbott
    Miriam Bowers Abbotthttps://columbusunderground.com
    Miriam Bowers Abbott is a freelancer contributor to Columbus Underground who reviews restaurants, writes food-centric featurettes and occasionally pens other community journalism pieces.
    ADVERTISEMENT