Homemade Jam Is the Best
Jam is good, homemade jam is better; but Malley Farm’s homemade jam is the best!
Nikki Malley owns Malley Farms Small Batch Canning & Specialty Foods, a gourmet grocery store at 54 S. Seminary Street in the heart of the Seminary Street Historic District of Downtown Galesburg, Illinois. I first met Nikki, a lovely lady, and her homemade jam in 2016 at the Farmer’s Market, where she sold me the first of many tasty jars of her Peach Cardamom jam.
At this time, Nikki was an Associate Professor of Music at Knox College. She chaired the Department of Music, was the Director of Jazz Studies, and was a local performing vibraphonist. I fell in love with Nikki’s jam but wondered how she had the time to fit this jam-making side hustle into what certainly must have been a very demanding and busy schedule. Some people just have a lot of energy, I guess.
Fast forward to today, and I’m happy to applaud Nikki for following her jam-making dreams. In a few short years, Nikki has flipped the script, transitioned from her prestigious Knox College position, and reinvented herself as a full-time store owner, selling fantastic jams and other great culinary treats daily. Turning passion into pleasure is powerful. One could say, “Good for her,” but instead, “Hey, good for US” because the jam truly is exceptional!
Back to the side hustle since there is more. Nikki and her husband also own Malley Farms, producing many tasty garden tidbits. They are known for incorporating them into the jams and jellies – it’s part of what makes Nikki’s small batch, homemade jars of all-natural ingredient jams and jellies the best. Nikki’s creations always have a twist. Combining regular fruits with different mouth-watering delightful tastes like basil and habanero, she wows us with every new confection. I make my own jams too, but when you can buy Banana Fosters Jam from Nikki, well, why wouldn’t you?
There are plenty of other reasons to visit Malley Farms besides jam. A wide variety of specialty foods can be found there, like African Jerk Marinade Paste, Aji South American Hot Sauce, Mole Poblano, Summer Sangria Spice, and Harissa with Preserved Lemon. An astounding array with so many items you’ll walk around spouting “Yes, Please!” all the way to your dinner table.
Jam and jelly are seasonal, and since these are small-batch delectables, the available flavors may occasionally change. A few of the current lineup includes Rose Petal Jelly, Hibiscus Orange Blossom Jelly, Honey Sweetened Blueberry Jam, Blueberry Raspberry Brown Sugar Jam, Carrot Cake Jam, and my newest favorite, Blood Orange & Amaretto Jelly. This last fresh taste simply brings me to my knees. I invite you to enjoy it too.
Visit Nikki on Seminary Street, take the time to scroll through her website – www.themalleyfarms.com, and enjoy all the seasons of flavor available from her specialty store. Your recipes and taste buds will be glad you did.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer!
This article first appeared in the Traveler Weekly Newspaper August, 2023
