One of the joys of being a part-time gardener, who can’t be bothered to religiously water every day, is concocting preserves with wonky, undergrown veg (Preserve, pickle, freeze, ferment: how to capture your garden’s summer harvest, 6 September). Claire Ratinon omits making chutneys, which is easier than jam‑making and allows you to create a plethora of meal accompaniments out of just about anything, including human and caterpillar leftovers. Pickled green tomatoes were a revelation to me, as were pickled sprouts which, if consumed during Christmas lunch, have the added advantage of ensuring you will be gloriously placed in isolation by your family during Christmas afternoon.
Neil Heydon-Dumbleton
Pathhead, Midlothian
• Congratulations on producing a Saturday magazine in which none of the four long articles, on Diane Abbott, the day my brother fell to earth, the magic art of fantasy football, and Bella Mackie writing about social media, were features about an interview with an actor. It made the supplement so much more interesting. Please keep it up.
Caroline Dalton
Wheatley, Oxfordshire
• A charming photograph indeed on last Saturday’s letters page of a sculpture by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. It did make me wonder, though, what the Norwegian for “mansplaining” might be?
Lynn Malloy
London
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