Jamming with Freakin' Flamingo

You may spot Renée Joslyn, the energetic food blogger (FlamingoMusings.com) and jam entrepreneur behind Freakin’ Flamingo and @RJFlamingo on Twitter, selling her local jams at the Saturday South Miami Farmers Market and other venues. She’s an enthusiastic advocate of turning subtropical fruits into something creative and delicious.

“I love staring at a box of carambolas or guavas and thinking about what twisted, unexpected flavor combination(s) I can do with them,” she says. “I get to talk to people about food and ingredients and watch their faces light up when they taste something I made up after waking up in the middle of the night with an inspiration.”

Those inspirations have led to such combinations as Pineapple Mango Ginger, Starfruit Vanilla and Guayaba (guava with lime), just to name a few. “I'm looking forward to our strawberry season so I can make my Strawberry Daiquiri Jam again for the Cabana Collection" (Strawberry Daiquiri, Piña Colada and Blueberry Mojito jams – all made with real rum, made in Florida), as well as other strawberry things. Then, of course, there will be citrus...” She also makes sugar-free versions.

After 30 years of working as a legal secretary, Joslyn was motivated to make preserves partly because of personal fulfillment. “When people are happy after trying my food, I'm happy,” she says. “I get to do something creative, spontaneous and personally fulfilling.”

For local fans, Joslyn makes it easy to stay stocked. “Local subscribers to my email newsletter have the opportunity to shop my website and email advance orders to be picked up at the South Miami Farmers Market, paying the web price, which is about 50¢ cheaper than the market price. Customers can also return their empty, washed Freakin' Flamingo jars to me at the Market for a 50¢ credit toward their next purchase.”

Joslyn is planning more sampler packs (three 4 oz. jars of various jams, packaged together and tied with tropical-colored raffia) especially for the holidays.

Using local, seasonal ingredients means she’s always experimenting. “Everything I do is a "limited edition," meaning that I'll make something while the fruit's in season, preferably locally grown. But I may only make one or two batches, and I may never make it again,” she says. “That's how I keep it fresh – both for me, and the people who buy from me. I like to always have something new and different.”

Find Freakin' Flamingo products online or visit the South Miami Farmers Market.