I've always considered apples to be strictly a fall and winter fruit. Who wants a boring old granny smith when there are strawberries, cantaloupes, and nectarines to be had? But then last summer I had my first taste of rhubarb-apple pie. I loved the sweet-tart flavor combination, and how the tender pieces of apple paired with the silky rhubarb. This week, I combined the two in a conserve studded with toasted almonds and dried apricots. More

The beauty of these cookies is their versatility. Play around: you can fill them with jam, Nutella, peanut butter, or chocolate ganache. More

I love the combination of apples and almonds, but any nuts will do in this recipe. Try pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts. Similarly, you can swap the apricots for the dried fruit of your choice. Try golden raisins, chopped dried mango, or dried pears. This works nicely on a cheese plate or with hearty grain bread. More

The resulting jam is, quite honestly, one of the best I've ever made for this column. Thick, silky, and speckled with tiny chunks of blueberries, it has a pronounced maple flavor and is lightly scented with star anise, cinnamon, and vanilla. More

Thick, silky, and speckled with tiny chunks of blueberries, this jam has a pronounced maple flavor and is lightly scented with star anise, cinnamon, and vanilla. It would be perfect between layers of French toast, but also try it with buttery scones or cinnamon streusel muffins, or swirl it into oatmeal. More

Made from distilled rose petals, rose water has a distinctive floral flavor. It is a common ingredient in many countries, including Turkey, Iran, India, and France. While it looks innocent enough in the bottle, it packs a serious punch and a little goes a long way. It can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, but I especially love it paired with spring produce like berries and rhubarb. More

This is the perfect jam for a spring tea party. The delicate, elegant flavor is a natural match for croissants or tender butter scones. To give it as a gift, pair with a bouquet of fresh wild flowers or a box of your favorite tea. More

I look forward to rhubarb's first appearance at the supermarket as much as my husband looks forward to opening day at Citi Field. Both are signs that the cold months are behind us and spring is finally here in full force. But as much as I adore rhubarb's tart taste, I find that all too often it's overshadowed by other flavors like blueberry, raspberry, and—most often—strawberry. This week, I set out to create a jam that would reverse the usual strawberry-rhubarb ratio and put rhubarb in the driver's seat. More

This jam reverses the usual strawberry-rhubarb ratio and put rhubarb in the driver's seat. Swirl it into Greek yogurt, use it as a topping for vanilla ice cream, or spread it over banana bread. Its gorgeous, pale pink hue would make a perfect Mother's Day gift. More

Think of this recipe as a mash-up of carrot cake jam and orange marmalade. Try it on carrot or zucchini bread, whole wheat toast, or as a topping for crostini with ricotta. If you can't find Pomona's Pectin, use regular no- or low-sugar powdered pectin. More