About this episode

Dr. Cassandra Quave interviews Dr. Julia Skinner about the art and importance of food preserving.

What if the key to reducing food waste, strengthening community, and reconnecting with our food systems is already in your kitchen? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Dr. Julia Skinner, food writer, fermentation expert, and founder of the Culinary Curiosity School, to explore the practice of food preserving. From fermentation to freezing, Julia shares how preserving is not just a set of techniques but a way of thinking about food with intention and creativity. They discuss her upcoming book, Essential Food Preserving, which takes an ingredient-first approach. Instead of rigid recipes, it asks a simple question: what can you do with what you have right now? That mindset opens the door to everything from fruit leathers and infused vinegars to fermented drinks and pantry staples built from scraps. They also explore the deeper reasons preserving matters. These practices are rooted in food security, seasonality, and survival. Today, they offer a powerful way to reduce waste and reconnect with the sources of our food. Fermentation, in particular, plays an important role in building community. Sharing techniques, recipes, and traditions creates…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Cassandra Quave

Guest: Dr. Julia Skinner

Topics covered

• food preserving
• fermentation
• food waste
• community building
• food security
• seasonality

Keywords

• food preserving
• fermentation
• food waste
• community
• seasonality
• cooking techniques

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Essential Food Preserving

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